Call for Covid tests for drivers in Scotland

Seafood industry leaders and the Scottish Government have called for rapid Covid-19 testing for lorry drivers in Scotland to help clear the backlog at the Channel ports. On Wednesday it was announced that French ports would be opened again to hauliers entering the UK, but it is estimated that clearing the queues of lorries that…

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Salmon farmers keep fresh food on the table

SCOTLAND’S salmon farmers are continuing to supply fresh produce to consumers during the coronavirus crisis despite increasingly challenging conditions. Those working on farms and throughout the supply chain are being provided with appropriate safety and hygiene protection and guidance, according to a statement issued by the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) this morning. ‘The critical…

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Scottish seafood processors raise standards  

A DRIVE to improve standards across the seafood processing sector in Scotland has paid dividends. Nine companies have achieved the new Scottish Seafood Association (SSA) Standard and of those, six are being assessed for SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval) accreditation. The SSA Standard is an initiative that involves the training of staff, guidance on…

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Focus on Brexit effect at summit

RURAL Economy minister Fergus Ewing will address the Seafood Summit in Aberdeen on Wednesday as the industry awaits the outcome of the latest Brexit deliberations. The focus of the summit, organised by industry body Seafish, is on the impact of the UK leaving the EU, which was due to take place this week, on March…

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Row erupts over seafood export charges

SCOTTISH seafood businesses claim they are facing prohibitive increases in export costs because of council hikes, according to a new report last night. The row centres on local authority health certificates, with some costs rising almost thirtyfold in less than two years. Health certificates are required when selling to countries outside the EU, but they…

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Salmon farmers issue ‘no deal’ warning

THE Scottish salmon farming sector has joined with Scotland’s £14 billion farming, food and drinks industries to urge MPs to reject a no-deal Brexit. As the Commons prepares to vote on the Prime Minister’s EU deal tomorrow, Scottish companies warn that leaving the EU without a deal would be ‘potentially catastrophic’. In an open letter…

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Scottish salmon standards ‘very high’, MSPs told

By Vince McDonagh A STRONG defence of Scotland’s record on the regulation of its aquaculture industry was put up by the team giving evidence at the Rural Economy and Connectivity (REC) committee at Holyrood yesterday. The committee, which is investigating the salmon farming sector, was told by the convenor, Highlands and Islands MPS Edward Mountain (Con),…

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