Business group slams SNP for salmon lay offs 12/1/13
The Outer Hebrides Commerce Group (OHCG) has hit out at the Scottish Government over temporary layoffs at a Western Isles fish farmer.
The Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) said it reducing its harvesting and processing staff in Stornoway due to disease problems, a lack of fish and low market prices. It hopes to rehire the staff in a few months.
OHCG chairman Calum Campbell said: “Aaquaculture has been of immeasurable benefit to our islands. Everyone in our group empathises with the staff and management at Scottish Salmon as they try to increase the viability of their business.
“It is this type of event we were forecasting when we started our campaign against the massive increases in ferry fares for commercial traffic. Fish farming, like many other industries relies heavily on importing and exporting goods by ferry.
“It’s for that reason the 50% and further 10% increase on commercial traffic within a year by the SNP Government is scandalous.
“We now urge the SNP representatives to intervene and ensure that their Government immediately stop the plan to impose a 10% increase in a few weeks’ time. Our MSP and MP have to start standing up for island families and businesses.”
David Wood, OHCG vice chairman, said: “At the end of 2012 we met Alasdair Allan MSP, and he pledged to convey to his fellow SNP Government Ministers our views about the recklessness of increasing ferry fares. He failed.”
“A mere forty eight hours later we learnt that the SNP Government will impose an other massive price hike. That will increase and add to the pressure and worsen the situation for Scottish Salmon. If our MSP and MP have any conscience or desire to help their constituents they must actively campaign to halt the next ferry fares increase.”