Fish farmers unite on trout virus

Millions of trout will have to be slaughtered

Trout farmers across North Yorkshire, who say they face bankruptcy over a ban on live fish movements, are uniting in an aid appeal to the government.

Owners of the 32 farms hit by the order have re-formed their Fish Farmers' Association and are lobbying MPs.

They are seeking financial assistance as they will have to slaughter tens of millions of fish in the next month.

Defra imposed the order after the discovery in Nidderdale of a virus deadly to fish, but harmless to humans.

The haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHS) affects mainly farmed rainbow trout and can cause death rates of up to 80%.

'Knock-on effect'

Association chairman Mike O'Donnell said trout stocks will have to be slaughtered as they cannot be moved.

"There are 50m fingerlings (baby trout) that can go nowhere," he said. "They would normally go for restocking at this critical time of the year, so the knock-on effect will be enormous.

"It will produce a serious shortage in the area and will mean that stocks for the table will have to be imported from areas where the virus may already be prevalent.

"Some of our members are looking at re-equipping with gutting machinery."

Farmers with facilities for killing and gutting the table trout can continue providing the trade, as the order applies only to live fish, but they cannot be supplied with new stock and will eventually run out of trout for slaughter.

'Difficult situation'

The County Landowners' Association (CLA) has joined forces with the trout farmers in their approach to the government.

Dorothy Fairburn, CLA regional director for Yorkshire, said: "We hope to arrange a meeting with the relevant minister soon.

"Everyone recognises the need to protect and preserve the health status of the fish - and of the community - and we will help all we can in this difficult situation."

The first infected fish was found about three weeks ago on a trout farm in Nidderdale and up to 50,000 infected fish were slaughtered on the farm.

Yorkshire and Humber MEP Edward McMillan-Scott has written to the European Fisheries Minister demanding special financial assistance for the fish farmers.