25 April, 2007

PERMANENT planning permission under the new Scottish laws will give the salmon industry a stronger foundation on which to build, according to its trade organisation.

The Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO) have drawn up a four year plan, called 'Developing salmon farming, protecting the environment', to improve the competitiveness of their industry.

On 1 April, under the Planning Act 2007, planning responsibility for fish farming throughout Scotland was transferred to local authorities, where it has been carried out in Shetland since the 1980s.

The SSPO has welcomed this new regime, but now wants the industry's needs to be fully recognised.

SSPO chief executive Sid Patten said: "The new aquaculture planning regime must provide for accessible and permanent planning permission.

"The previous arrangements whereby planning permission was awarded for a pre-determined period was not 'fit-for-purpose' in terms of a vibrant and responsible industry.

"The benefits of permanent planning will give enormous confidence to the industry, as it will provide security and encourage further investment into many remote, rural communities."

The four year salmon development plan is to be sent to Scotland's prospective parliamentary and local authority candidates before the elections on 3 May.

Mr Patten continued: "The lack of full and permanent planning permission has always been an issue for farmers, but I believe we are close to achieving it by the co-operation between the industry and the public sector in bringing aquaculture into the new planning regime.

"It's time that salmon farming is recognised as a modern, responsible industry and that it is afforded the same benefits of permanent planning permission enjoyed by land-based industries."