Whether the Fish Health Inspectorate has commenced unannounced visits to fish farms, as recommended by the Healthier Fish Working Group to …

The Healthier Fish Working Group was established by the Scottish Government in order that it could make recommendations to the Ministerial Group on Aquaculture (MGA), which it did in June of this year. Officials have been considering the recommendations and I intend to further discuss the recommendations with the industry at the next meeting of the MGA in February. On the specific question of unannounced visits to fish farms, I can confirm that the Fish Health Inspectorate is currently considering the practical aspects of carrying out such inspections with a view to their commencement in 2011.