Inquiry by Tesco into escape of farm trout

Published on Saturday 22 March 2008 18:46

SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has launched an "urgent investigation" into a Scottish fish supplier after 4,000 farmed trout escaped into one of Scotland's most famous salmon rivers.

The retailer has said it might drop the trout supplier after furious anglers on the River Awe in Argyll complained that the non-native species risked damaging the river for years by eating young salmon.

And ministers have hit out at the firm, Scot Trout, and called the loss of the fish "completely unacceptable".

The company blamed the escape on bad weather and said it "deeply regrets" the incident.

The probe follows a major escape by 4,000 rainbow trout which got into the River Awe on February 29.

A spokesman for Tesco said the firm had launched an urgent investigation.

In a letter to the local salmon fishermen, Tesco added: "There are a number of actions open to us, including a non-conformance action plan, suspension of supply, or permanent removal from our supply base."

Roger Brook, the chairman of the Argyll Fishery Board, said: "The escapes have completely ruined the river for salmon fishing."

Environment Minister Mike Russell said: "Continued escapes from fish farms are completely unacceptable and I've told Scot Trout that."

A spokesman for Scot Trout said: "The company is well aware of the sensitive and emotional issues surrounding the recent storm damage to one of our cage installations. We deeply regret that this has happened.

"We meet with aquaculture specialists and we have been working closely together since to review farm operations at Inverawe."