Vol. 500 No. 6
54 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the control, if any, he has on the sale of salmon farming activities from one company to another; if the record of the purchasing company in its ability to efficiently and safely run and manage salmon farms according to the correct practices of salmon farming is taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4650/99]
Under the conditions which control the issuing of aquaculture licences, ministerial approval is required for the assignment of all licences to applicants or in cases where a sale occurs, to transfer the licence to the new owner of the operation. Consent to transferring a licence to a company purchasing an operation from an existing licence holder cannot be unreasonably withheld. However, before agreeing to the transfer appropriate management, financial and production information is sought from the purchasing company to enable the Minister to be satisfied that the company is both in a position and is prepared to operate the business in accordance with the conditions of the licence.
55 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his Department has recently granted a licence to Killary Salmon Farms, County Galway, to increase its production from 750 tonnes to 2,200 tonnes per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4651/99]
My Department, with the assistance of specialist advisers, has now fully examined the application by Killary Salmon Company Limited, and comments from the public and others thereon, to increase salmon production at the fish farm in Killary harbour, and a decision to allow for an increase on a phased basis only has been published. The aquaculture and foreshore licences cannot be granted until the expiry of a statutory period for appeals – one calendar month within which anyone can appeal the decision. Any appeal would have to be considered and decided upon by the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board, and the board's determination would have be awaited. This increased salmon production, if licensed, will be closely monitored and phased with maximum smolt input and production levels as follows:
|
Year |
MaximumSmolt Input |
Maximum Production (tonnes) |
|
1999 |
450,000 |
850 |
|
2000 |
450,000 |
1,400 |
|
2001 |
600,000 |
1,400 |
|
2002 |
600,000 |
1,860 |
|
2003 |
750,000 |
1,860 |
|
2004 |
750,000 |
2,200 |
