Doesn’t fit the bill

The summary in The Scotsman (8 September) of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill, announced this week, misunderstands the purpose of the bill.

The bill is about introducing legislation on management measures for farmed fish, wild salmon and freshwater fisheries. We plan to hold a consultation on the bill in the coming months.

However, your article refers to measures to tackle fish discards, the direct result of failings of European fisheries policy. We are separately addressing this matter as we seek to influence reforms to the Common Fisheries Policy.

RICHARD LOCHHEAD

Cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment