f £500 million into the economy in 2008 projects during the last three years most significant beneficiaries UK every day n the last twenty years ame from aquaculture, now it is over 50% ly way to meet the surging demand for seafood
Trade Associations – SSPO Rural Agenda is Gaining Momentum
Salmon farmers have a commitment to the rural areas where they farm PROFESSOR PHIL THOMAS
W “ 10
Salmon farming is already a major provider of Scottish rural jobs
hatever the result of the Scottish Referendum on 18 September, the established socio-polit-
ical dynamics of Scotland will be changed forever.
Whether the outcome will be
‘Yes’ or ‘No’ can only be a matter of speculation. But, there is no doubt that the long, often divisive, and occasionally acrimonious, independ- ence debate has let many genies out of their bottles. Communities of like interest have found a stronger and more assertive voice, and have fi rmly set their sights on a vision of change, either within or outwith the Union. The western and northern rural and island communities of Scot- land, where salmon is farmed have long-term feelings of being less favoured in comparison to the urban conurbations of the Central Belt and the East Coast. Moreover, for several years these rural communities have been emerging as a political force. Post-referendum, they will be well positioned to pursue their case for economic and infrastructure devel- opment and the creation of more local business and jobs. The Western Isles, Shetland and Orkney Councils have set out their vision and objectives in the policy
document ‘Our Islands, Our Future’; and the fi rst meeting of the national Scottish Rural Parliament, which takes place in Oban on 6-8 Novem- ber, will provide a timely political opportunity for the wider Scottish rural agenda to be fully presented and promoted.
INVESTMENT
Both ‘Our Islands, Our Future’ and the Rural Parliament have been publicly welcomed by Scottish Min- sters, and the development of the rural parliament has been supported by government funding. However, post-referendum, whatever the outcome, it is likely that a wave of referendum-stimulated ‘aspirations’ will sweep across both the rural and urban communities of Scotland. Balancing competing demands for public investment will be a challenge for the Scottish Government, as is always the case.
The position of salmon farmers is
clear. They are in favour of rural eco- nomic development and supportive of improvements in infrastructure and creation of jobs in the regions where they farm. The industry will thus lobby side by side with local communities to secure political support and public investment in infrastructure projects and local
economic development. Salmon farming is already a major
provider of Scottish rural jobs. On the basis of Government fi gures for 2012, salmon farming annual con- tributes £1,400m turnover across the Scottish economy, and 8,000 jobs. Additionally, farming companies collectively invest about £1m per annum in projects and programmes, providing local community benefi t. Finally, salmon farming spends £3.3m per annum on sea bed leases from the Crown Estate and so pro- vides direct support for its public investment and community grant programmes.
Salmon farmers have a long-term commitment to the local areas where they farm. They rightly regard the success of their own businesses and the socio-economic success of the local communities as being closely aligned, and synergistic. Thus, in whatever political ‘new world’ may follow after the referendum, salmon farmers will pursue that common cause and be united in support of the economic development of their local communities. For the present, we can only
await whatever lies ahead, whilst all the time being alert to the fact that the rural agenda is gathering momentum. FF
www.fishfarmer-magazine.com
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