Planners holding back growth, say salmon farms

UK - Salmon producers yesterday claimed they were being hindered in their attempts to increase production, although demand is set to hit an all-time high next year.

Sid Patten, chief executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation, said more could be done by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) and the Crown Estate to help the industry grow.

Figures released yesterday show 357 million salmon meals were eaten in the UK in 2006, compared with 314 million in 2004, up 13.8%. Demand for smoked salmon meals rose to 59.4 million from 42.8 million, an increase of 38.7%.

Mr Patten, who was appointed in January, said the market for Scottish farmed salmon was set to increase even further in 2007. However, he believed tight planning restrictions put in place by the Crown Estate and a "very precautionary" approach to the industry by the Scottish Environmental protection Agency (Sepa) meant salmon farms had their hands tied when it came to meeting demand.

Source: The Herald