Bio-security
Biosecurity literally means ‘safe life’. If you work or come into contact with farm animals, biosecurity means taking steps to make sure that good hygiene practices are in place. This will help prevent the spread of animal disease. Good biosecurity is a vital part of keeping new disease away from animals.Source: Defra website.
Area Management Agreements were put in place in many locations across the Western Isles after the council officers sweated blood (as did many others, not least the Fisheries Trust) to broker deals between fish farmers, mussel farmers, fishermen, anglers, conservation bodies and many others. The most complex and most important was the deal in Loch Roag.
A key part of the plan was to ensure bio-security for the various parties by securing, as far as possible, the different uses into different sectors, to reduce cross-contamination issues.
As is common with politicians, I took most of the glory for the hard work of others, and I do not want to see that thrown away.
That is why the proposal to import nets to Scalpay from many different areas is a potentially disastrous plan, and one that should be opposed until such time as the disease prevention controls are clearly documented, tested and approved. One suspicion of ISA in the islands could destroy much of the salmon-farming industry, and shatter the 'quality' marketing strategy of environmentally-friendly, sustainable production.
Those who have welcomed a Norwegian multi-national in to the islands to transport contaminated products in a way that they aren't allowed to do in Norway, and whose party used to complain about the lack of support for the indigenous salmon farmers.
30 comments:
As the hebrides news says:
Rev Peter Johnston, from the One Kirk group points out that the Free Church's role was ironic as it split from the national church in the mid-1800s to gain the freedom for individual congregations to choose their own minister yet it now strived to deny that right to the Aberdeen church.
enough said.
9;33 PM
Scabrous scales I can understand, even plague of locusts made some sort of ecological sense; but oblique ecumenical comparisons are somewhat over the head of the heathens in the Lochaber boys club.
I see from Intrafish today that Marine Harvest now have an outbreak of ISA in Norway.
Biosecurity? I'm afraid that the only security that the current fish farm employees will know if the Scalpay ploy ever gets to the starting line is the 'social security'
Yes, complacency creeps in after a while and before you know it, you have a Shetland / Norwegian situation on your hands.
Who in authority is going to shoulder the responsibility of this lot?
Where are the property developers coming from again?
Who still eats Bernard Matthew Turkey these days? The supermarkets dropped him like a hot potato when the buachar hit the proverbial fan.
Go on, give it to the Angus, and let them all hang their heads in absolute shame.
At the PR exercise down in Tarbert to promote the scheme, Marine Harvest grandee Baby Ben and his minder had the natives believing that this project was to be the very salvation of Scalpay. It was a bit like the English telling the Scots that new nuclear reactors are needed for Britains future - when they are sited in Scotland.
The most ridiculous aspect of this sorry affair is the participation of the WIE. A publicaly funded asset which could be of use for the long term economic benefit of Scalpay and the wider Harris area being handed over to a company which is not even from a country belonging to the EU.
There is an existing facility down in Uist which we were told 'could not cope' with the amount of Marine Harvest nets. A quick phone call to any of he sites which had their nets serviced in Uist reveals that they have systematically starved the Uist boys of MH work in the hope that they would fold and thereby allow the funding purse to fully open for the Norwegians.
The industry in Chile virtually collapsed due to the spread of ISA, Shetland only recently had a very close shave, and it is not that long back since the mainland west coast had an outbreak. What does it take for a bit of common sense to prevail and to look long and hard at this proposal, and remove it from the ego of those that are driving it without care for the island communities or even the long term well being of their own fish farming company
Ok, all you coves out there that have sweated blood over the old Hattersley and those that have defended the honour of the Orb, consider this; what would the reaction of Mr Wilson and Morrison be if there was a plan to sub let a building in Arnish to a bunch of Chinese textile workers who were going to start producing Harris Tweed.
If the Norwegians can get into Scalpay then nothing is safe from the overwhelming need for WIE to be seen to have 'achieved' something.
Are they really that desperate for (apparent) good news?
Anonymous 8.28 clearly YOU haven't been unemployed throughout 2009 and I will assume you have the means to keep the roof over your head. Im a local and I desperately welcome these developments. I dont care if they are norwegian, chinese or from mars if they want to invest in our ailing economy and create jobs, then thats good in my book. If you have nothing constructive to add or any hope to offer the many unemployed, then I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself.
BENEFITS CLAIMANT 8:28
You must have been living off the island for the past few years so I won't bore you with a dreary litany of Grand Openings hosted by WIE which subsequently faded away leaving the mess behind.
I am self employed and have never received a penny assistance from from so called 'develpment' agencies, much in line with many small enterprises on the island.
However, before you rush to welcome this proposal , bear in mind that it was funded already to the tune of £7 million of public money. It was closed down within a week of Marine Harvest taking Stolt who held the lease. I can't remember the exact number that were told to go home but it was in excess of fifty. Fast forward a little to the closure of the Caledonia Lighthouse plant in Marybank "because it was inefficient" - how many went home that time?
So, you have a publicly funded purpose built state of the art plant that was closed and stripped out by Marine Harvest and WIE have the gall to welcome a project that calls for the import of filthy and stinking nets from all over the west coast.
The next lot to go home will be the fish farmers themselves when the exotic diseases arrive in Seaforth.
If the money that the multi nationals have received for 'development' in the islands had actually been distributed to aspiring locals we would possibly be in a situation where we took pride in the diversity and achievement of the island entrepreneurs; not crowing over ("exciting opportunities") a few measly jobs cleaning the shit from Marine Harvests nets.
Euroderision Contest.
Ex Stolt Empolyees nil points
Ex Fjord employees nil points
South Uist net washer nil Points
Ayrshire net washer nil points
Wild salmon nil points
Neighbouring island salmon farms nil points
Neighbouring mainland salmon farms nil points
Husbandry men nil points
Local hauliers nil points
Sound of Scalpay nil points
Longterm prospect for Scalpay factory 1 point
Unemployed on Scalpay 3 points (One for each potential job)
Tourism on Scalpay minus 3 points
Area Management Agreements minus 4 points
Wild fish interests minus 5 points
WIE Board 8 points
Shetland net washer 10 points
..........................
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And the winner is:
Norway with another 'Fairytale'
Following the announcement of the proposed merger of Panfish and Marine Harvest in 2006, Sandy Cumming of the HIE expressed some concerns:
'The salmon fanning industry in Scotland needs Pan Fish in its midst as the largest global producer of
farmed salmon. The proposed acquisition of Marine Harvest would offer a number of benefits through
rationalisation which would accrue both to the parties to the merger and to a number of other salmon
farming businesses. We are however unsure of the effects an unconditional merger of the two
companies in Scotland might have on the market for goods and services to the industry in the UK.'
RESPONSE FROM COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR IN REGARD TO THE COMPETITION COMMISSION PAN FISH / MARINE HARVEST MERGER INQUIRY
'The Comhairle would be extremely concerned if the merger process led to significant consolidation of local labour and local suppliers. This is an area which will require close monitoring and a willingness for the new company (should the merger proceed) to work with local authorities to ensure that any significant changes are minimised and introduced in a sensitive and appropriate manner.'
I assume that this is still very much the case and that both the Council and HIE would consult extensively with those in the market before rubber stamping this move by a firm that is hell bent on dominatating this market worldwide, to the detriment of established local businesses.
I see that Uncle Ben believes that the numbers of nets
that Marine Harvest have in use has increased over the past few years. (I can only assume that hair nets and net curtains are now included in the make up of his number)
This morsel was served up to whet the appetite of the boys in Enterprise.
Goebbels would have been proud.
Euroderision Contest:
I think the 10 points to the Shetland netwasher shows a distinct lack of understanding of what can only be described as a 'shrinking market' here in a very complex situation here in Shetland.
With ISA wreaking havoc amongst the farms and further bad news likely to follow, it will naturally have a knock on effect to the supply chain. It troubles me dearly to hear that 15 posts are to be created in the Western Isles and begs the question of commitement up here in Shetland to the service side of the industry as well as those currently employed. Many of the nets up here are imports from Norway and the Far East and this move suggests that the distribution hub could be leaving the Northern Isles. Lets just hope that there is no asset stripping of publicly asssisted plant here in Shetland to furnish the new workshop in the west.
Eueoderision 7.10
Hello From the West,
Can you enlighten us a wee bit on the 'publicly assisted plant' that the Scallowegians received.
Would I be right in thinking that this is a family affair and best kept in a darkened room?
Tavish Scott
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Shetland
PRESS RELEASE
Release: 3rd September 2003
SCOTT WELCOMES FIFG CASH FOR SHETLAND
The success of 4 Shetland aquaculture companies in winning grant offers from the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance, (FIFG), programme, is a tribute to the industries determination to survive the difficult times is faces says, Shetland MSP, Tavish Scott.
Today’s announcement includes offers of £180 017 to Cro Lax Ltd, to improve their salmon farm, of £144 237 to Johnson Shellfish Ltd, to develop two new mussel growing sites and develop an existing one, of £104 300 to Shetland Halibut Company Ltd to establish a halibut farm and of £14 770 to Balta Island Seafare Ltd to develop their organic salmon farm. In addition, £18 088 has been awarded to Net services Shetland Ltd to develop their net cleaning and mending facility at Scalloway and £49 181 to Mac Mussels Ltd from Unst for a depuration and packing plant.
and then
2 March, 2009
TWO Shetland companies will be benefitting from the latest tranche of funding under the new European Fisheries Fund (EFF)
Scalloway-based Net Services Shetland, a company that works with nets used in the aquaculture industry, is to receive just over £54,000 to help purchase a filter press to remove waste sludge following net washing.
On top of that,
http://www.shetland.gov.uk/news-advice/documents/October08.pdf
They have obviously dug very deep into their own pockets!!!!
Naturally, the Comhairle will be referring back to their Development Plan Scheme document of March 2009
'Under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 it is a legal requirement to
undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of certain plans and
programmes which are likely to have significant effects on the environment, including
LDPs and other supplementary guidance. Taking account of guidance and good
practice the SEA process will help identify how the LDP can provide for development
that minimises harmful impacts on the environment. The Comhairle will work closely
with the consultation authorities Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment
Protection Authority and Historic Scotland to help with the SEA process.
3.2. The SEA and any other environmental assessment work (e.g. Appropriate
Assessment on Natura 2000 sites) will be undertaken in parallel with the plan
preparation process to inform the evolving LDP strategy, policies and proposals.
Public consultation opportunities will be provided on the draft, revised and final
Environmental Reports, mirroring where possible the LDP stage consultation periods.'
By jingo we should be harnessing the talents of these serial subsidy junkies at Westminster. They make the current batch of mini-bar munchers look like rank amateurs. I bet these devils could have given Burke and Hare a damn good run for their money and still have managed to slip away from the scene with no incriminating evidence. Just imagine we had them extracting money from Brussels on behalf of the British tax payer. The roads would all be free of potholes and wandering sheep and the ferries running for nothing.
Back to Scalpay though, according to Hebrides News, HIE have agreed to countenance this unholy marriage and give the daughter of Stolt away. We must keep an eye out for the posting of the Banns up in Cromwell Street. Have HIE been out-maneuvered, caved in or just happy to oblige?
So the garrot will now be purposefully placed around the neck of SEPA before the grand finale of hammering the planning department into submission in Sandwick Road.
The big question is, will they have the bottle to stand up to them or will the island be renamed Skarlpay for perpetuity?
The word on the street in Tarbert is that they have been in negotiations with Simon Cowell to bring Susan Doyle to the island for the grand opening.
'I dreamed a dreeeeeeeam...'
"I dreamed a dream ??"
More like a nightmare !!
I don't suppose there is any truth in the rumour that Brenda and Robert Ford-Sagers of Eilean Glas notoriety are consultants on this?
BALAICH AN IASGAICH
Fàilte gu fearann air balaich an iasgaich
Iomradh is tarruing is gearradh a' bhiathaidh;
Coma leam leabaidh no cadal no biadh
Gu faigh mi mo lìon an òrdugh.
Tha 'n geamhradh cho fada 's an gallionn cho cruaidh,
Droch shìde le cabhadh, clach mheallain is fuachd,
Cha mhòr tha chuir-seachad aig balaich 'an Ruaidh
Ach cèilidh is bualadh eòrna.
Thig an Fhèill Phàruig mu 'm pàigh sinn na fiachan
Ri dorghach nam biorach air lios an Taobh Siar;
Tha prìs air an langainn an Sasuinn am bliadhna
'S gheibh mi mo lìon an òrdugh.
Bidh riasladh is màladh air ràmh agus cliabh
Gun iaradh no tàmh eadar àiteach is lìon;
Thug Cailean a làmh dhomh na 'm paigheadh an t-iasg
Gu faodainn Cairstìona phòsadh.
'Si leabaidh as fhearr leam na gàbhadh nan tonn;
Tha plaide mo mhàthar 's mo làmh fo mo cheann
Na 's fheàrr na bhith lapadh ri fasgadh nan crann
Ag èisdeach ri srann nan ròpan.
Sud agaibh na balaich nach gearain air cruadal
Sìnt' air a bhallaist gun pheallaig m' an uachdar,
Còignear mo seisear 's an lethcheann air cluasaig,
Ulpagan cruaidhe Cheòsain.
'Nuair thig sinn à Gallaibh 's a thogar am bàrr
Bheir bùth Sheumais Chaluim dhuinn preasain air dhàil;
Bidh dùil 'am bho Chailean ri feannag no dhà,
'S bheir m' athair a' phàirc is bò dhuinn.
Nam faighinn Cairstìona chan iarrainn a chaoidh
Ach bothan beag riabhach is sìoman m' a dhruim;
Sabhal is bathach is stàbhag bò-laoigh,
Gearran beag donn is òisgean.
Now how does this go in Norwegian?
CHI MI'N TÌR 'S AN ROBH MI NA M' BHALACH
Chi mi 'n tìr 's an robh mi na m' bhalach,
Barr a' chruinn 's Leac a Li na m' shealladh
Chi mi 'n tìr 's an robh mi na m' bhalach.
A' tìr nan Suainich a rinn sinn gluasad
'S i leinn an uair sin tigh'n tuath air Scalpaidh
Chi mi 'n tìr 's an robh mi na m' bhalach.
Chi mi Mànais is Ceann an t-sàile,
Caolas Bhearnaraigh is tràighean Phabaidh
Chi mi 'n tìr 's an robh mi na m' bhalach.
Chi mi 'n t-iasgair aig ceann nan lionan
Gu'm b'e mo mhiann 'bhi 's a chiar g'an tarruing
Chi mi 'n tìr 's an robh mi na m' bhalach.
Gu'm b'e mo shòlas 'bhi siubh'l na mòintich
Am measg nan òighean far 'n òlainn bainne
Chi mi 'n tìr 's an robh mi na m' bhalach.
Nam faighinn òrdan gur mi bhiodh deònach
A gheòla lòradh 's a seòladh dhachaidh
Chi mi 'n tìr 's an robh mi na m' bhalach
Chi mi 'n tìr 's an robh mi na m' bhalach
Barr a chruinn 's Leac a Li na m' shealladh
Chi mi 'n tìr 's an robh mi na m' bhalach.
Ah a very nice song indeed. Bodega do a good version of this.
http://www.myspace.com/musicbodega
Ah well..., it has come to pass.
A quick look at the ISA maps for Shetland on the Fisheries Research Service site now shows that Scalloway is in the midst of a control zone for ISA.
Nets coming off a cage carry faecal matter, waste food, fish that have died from disease or harvest stress, bacterial slime, and marine growth. They are accepted as being the largest mobile reservoir of disease when a site is suffering from an outbreak of the usual nasties. Their movement from one management area to another is completely against the spirit and princilple of the whole Area Management Agreement farago.
Curious that the flour pot men have not included this in their press releases singing the praises of the Scallowegians proposed move to Scalpay and the untold benefits of a net washing facility in the area of the highest concentration of fish farms down there in the Western Isles.
Uncle Ben rightly deserves a medal for swallowing this project which the King has relentlesly pursued.
His Norwegian masters - not even those wearing cork heeled shoon - will be best pleased when the fish police eventually descend on the Seaforth.
Reminds me of the management training course relating to the symbiotic relationship between a turkey and a bull. It went like this.
A turkey was chatting with a bull.
"I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, but I haven't got nearly enough energy."
"Well, why don't you nibble on my buachur?" replied the bull. "It's packed with a range of splendid nutrients."
The turkey pecked at a steaming lump of dung and found that it gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.
The next day, after gobbling a sizeable helping of some more buachar, he reached the second branch.
Finally after a fourth night, there he was proudly perched at the top of the tree with his chest suitably puffed out.
Unfortunately he was spotted by a nearby salmon farmer, who shot the turkey out of the tree.
Moral of the story: Bullshìt might get you to the top, but it is very unlikely to keep you there.
I suppose that the best advice is not to swallow the filthy buachur in the first place...
I would like to laud Marine Harvest for attempting to reduce their carbon footprint on us all in the Western Isles; although if an Ayrshire company recently quoted are to be believed, it may not be as beneficial as first thought.
What concerns me about their decisions in recent years is that they are opting out of supporting the life-line services like the ferries and hauliers. If they are running inefficiently, then the rank and file will surely pick up the tab for that. With RET now to the fore, transport to the islands has never been cheaper in relative terms and regardless of the salmon farms preferred mode of transport, the ferries will still traverse the Minch burning the usual amount of fuel.
The salmon farms benefit from all the positives of residing in the Western Isles, flourishing on the natural resources and the strong branding of the Hebrides. First of all processing of the marketable fish was removed fom the island due to the high cost of transport and centralised around Lochaber. Now they are endeavouring to provide a limited number of jobs on Scalpay, some of which will be seasonable. Does this mean that some of the 15 positions being created will be very much on a temporary basis, with the likelyhood of being laid on and off depending on the time of year. This might suit some of the crofters, but hardly the type of commitment that will hold the interest of your average family man with a wife and two kids and mortgage hanging like a millstone around his neck.
Meanwhile the haulage firms including Calmac will see a reduction in trade, not to menion the other net company in the Uists.
How long before the Scallywag net services factory is closed and moved to Scalpay ? The current ISA situation here in Shetland puts them right in the middle of a zone so there must surely be movement restrictions into and out of the pier.
The 15 or so jobs claimed for Scalpay will likely not be new but just transfered from one Island to another, so Shetland nil Scalpay one. How many other jobs will be lost at the other units in Uist and Ayrshire?
What happened to supporting local business, do these multinationals not have an ethical policy to support local businesses where they can ?
Seems not which is a shame as the only benefactors from this will be the big wig Nogs who it seems when you look at the bonuses that have been recently paid out are doing very nicely thank you very much.
Ah, well us mere mortels will just have to continue to live in near poverty for a few years more.
Me , Im off to learn Norwegian at night classes in the NAFC if they are running them and then net mending skills, followed by politics/accountancy and law. All skills that I'm sure will be required for the position on Scalpay. That is if it ever happens in the first place.
Remember we're the Kishorrrrn Commaaaaandossssssss.
We're the Kishorn Commandos from wae up in Wester Ross, we've never had a gaffer we've never had a boss.
We'll build the biggest net washer you'll ever come across, remember we're the Kishorn Commandos...
Did Kenny Person not sing that in the Park Bar?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaI0x4iRepk
More like this with some of the rascals involved:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSR_TI0rMpQ
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