30 September 2009
Shetland MSP, Tavish Scott, has invited the Crown Estate
to Shetland to meet the Shetland shellfish farming industry. The Crown Estate
is reviewing their charges on the shellfish industry.
In a letter to Ian Grant, the Crown Estate’s current Chairman and Scottish
Commissioner, Tavish Scott said that local farmers are seeing prices not rising
to match increased costs. “The Shetland industry needs the stability which
longer leases and stable charges would bring”, said Tavish Scott.
Inviting Mr Grant and his successor as Scottish Commissioner, Gareth Baird,
to visit Shetland, Tavish Scott wrote, “the industry is of great importance
to Shetland and Shetland’s contribution to the industry is equally important
to the industry. I therefore hope that you will understand why Seafood Shetland
would like you to visit Shetland. They would like you to meet those who work
in the industry to hear directly from them their ideas on how to allow the industry
to develop.”
Commenting on the invitation Tavish Scott said, “Shetland produces 60%
of the mussels farmed in Scotland. The shellfish industry employs some 100 local
people, nearly half of them in full time jobs. Therefore the Scottish Commissioner
and his successor should follow the lead of his review team and visit Shetland
to hear for themselves the views of the shellfish farmers.”
Ruth Henderson, Chief Executive of Seafood Shetland added, “We welcome
Tavish's support and consider that a visit by Ian Grant and Gareth Baird would
provide an excellent opportunity to see at first hand how the industry operates
and to meet those directly involved. It is very important that the Crown Estate
has a full and clear picture before decisions on revised rental arrangements
are imposed.”