Kames Rated "Poor" for Non-Compliance of Carcinogenic Chemicals https://t.co/Db40LAgAnk @kamesfishfarm @ScottishEPA "Recording issues identified with the use of Formaldehyde including quantities & dates of use, no chemical log maintained" @SaveOurLochs @obantimes #Kames #Toxic pic.twitter.com/fg4GxkzbrJ
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) October 20, 2020
The controversial salmon farm in Loch Tralaig operated by Kames Fish Farming - owned by award-winning Stuart Cannon - has been rated as "Poor" by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
Seems the kames scientists, Sepa, Apha, Environmental Health etc rate this site as POOR Why is this company allowed to use a carcinogenic chemical without keeping any records. Also no mortality, feed, stock levels or any other records seem to be needed here ?? @obantimes https://t.co/5RNJwxEUGM
— Stop! (@SaveOurLochs) October 20, 2020
Documents obtained by Scottish Salmon Watch via Freedom of Information reveal that SEPA wrote to Kames in July 2020 informing the company (whose shareholders include the family of Viscount Selby) of the poor assessment "for the use of medicine treatments other than in accordance with veterinary/authorisation requirements". "The investigation by SEPA into the use of Formalin and associated record keeping is ongoing," wrote SEPA.
SEPA's 'Poor' compliance assessment of Kames detailed a "significant" non-compliance in relation to "repeat use of Formalin (Formaldehyde) to treat saprolegnia from October to December 2019 other than in accordance with the current version of the manufacturer's guidance, or as prescribed by a qualified veterinary surgeon". "Recording issues identified with the use of Formaldehyde including quantities and dates of use, no chemical log maintained," continued SEPA's compliance assessment report dated July 2020.
Dead fish @rspcaassured @salmon_scottish in Loch Damph from 2019 look eerily familiar to the Loch Tralaig morts @kamesfishfarm during 2020. Is this part of the "escalating saprolegniosis outbreaks on salmon farms"? @thefishsite @SSPOsays @scottishaqua https://t.co/xJ0KTr1fUB pic.twitter.com/5v7cvX24gH
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) October 8, 2020
In November 2019, a local resident living close to Loch Tralaig published shocking video footage of the use of the carcinogenic chemical Formalin (Formaldehye) by Kames workers who appeared not to be wearing protective equipment.
Read more via "Video Nasty: Chemically Embalmed Scottish Salmon at Kames in Loch Tralaig"
Video Nasty: Chemically Embalmed Scottish Salmon at Kames in Loch Tralaig! https://t.co/JaCFcWwOzL @FergusEwingMSP @ScottishEPA @argyllandbute @obantimes @ewangkennedy @SealifeA @TheSoundOfJura @H_S_E @KateForbesMSP @JohnFinnieHI @FerretScot @SSPOsays @MowiScotlandLtd pic.twitter.com/GlCdt6LeUc
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) November 8, 2019
Further video evidence of the use of Formalin (Formaldehyde) by Kames in Loch Tralaig was published during 2020.
I think they must be told and believe that Formaldehyde is harmless, I found this article a few weeks ago that they should all look at.. https://t.co/J8Pmz0s6za
— Stop! (@SaveOurLochs) October 20, 2020
Watch a video report by Andrew Holder and Maggie Brotherston of Dip in the Blue:
In May 2020, The Ferret reported:
In August 2020, The Oban Times reported on the front page:
Call to ban fish farm use of formaldehyde @obantimes https://t.co/gOqXcBAHHN @SaveOurLochs @FergusEwingMSP @strathearnrose @GillianMSP @SP_ECCLR @ScottishEPA @SSPOsays @MowiScotlandLtd @markruskell @scotgp @ewangkennedy @TheSoundOfJura @vmdgovuk @nature_scot @H_S_E @argyllandbute pic.twitter.com/0AU93MLYUn
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) August 20, 2020
The Oban Times also reported in August 2020:
Salmon farmer charged by @policescotland with assault over filming of carcinogenic chemicals https://t.co/XmVaC8ySb0 @obantimes @kamesfishfarm
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) August 25, 2020
Read more via:
Petition: "Stop Toxic Salmon Farm Chemicals Polluting Scottish Lochs"
Last month, Scottish Salmon Watch and The Ferret revealed that Kames was being investigated for welfare abuse in Loch Tralaig.
Secret Filming Exposes Welfare Abuse at RSPCA Assured Kames @kamesfishfarm @rspcaassured @MairiGougeon @APHAgovuk @ProfCMDwyer @LynneUSneddon @Animallawyersuk @SSPCA_Mike @SSPOsays @GreenerScotland @SaveOurLochs @andrholder @obantimes @strathearnrose https://t.co/Dtc6rSKG1L pic.twitter.com/7VEmiyUsUA
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) September 24, 2020
Read more via "Ongoing Welfare Abuse & Unnecessary Suffering on Salmon Farms - Why No Prosecutions?"
SEPA was forced to disclose the documents yesterday (19 October 2020) following a Freedom of Information review request filed by Scottish Salmon Watch following SEPA's initial refusal (see Appendix below for specific details).
SEPA's Compliance Assessment Scheme details the following reports for Kames (2019 data has still not been published online):
Stuart Cannon, our founder and leader at Kames, is up for the inaugural People’s Choice Award at the Scottish Marine Aquaculture Awards. You can vote for him here: https://t.co/G3i1hhmgJC. pic.twitter.com/SRqB28mJOd
— Kames (@kamesfishfarm) May 18, 2018
Is the secret to Stuart Cannon's success (e.g. winning awards) the shady practice of @kamesfishfarm not keeping records? https://t.co/PQAtxyypmL @ScottishEPA pic.twitter.com/pgsCiyyb3n
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) October 20, 2020
Appendix:
Date: Mon, Oct 19, 2020 at 3:52 PM
Subject: SEPA Response - [F:0192449]
To: <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>
If you are not satisfied, you can appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner.
www.itspublicknowledge.info/
Your unique reference number is F0192449. Please quote this in any future contact with us about your request.
REVEALED: Carcinogenic Chemical Formaldehyde Flooding Scottish Lochs https://t.co/gtIn7Uug2l @ScottishEPA @marinescotland @GreenerScotland @vmdgovuk @MowiScotlandLtd @scotseafarms @salmon_scottish @SSPOsays @ASC_aqua @SoilAssociation @HGSalmonUK @WeAreBenchmark @hirst_official pic.twitter.com/w0tQD0hsv8
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 24, 2020