Fish farm report

Dr John Webster, the technical director of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation, accused a recent report published by the Salmon & Trout Association (S&TA) of being "ignorant propaganda" and "nothing to do with the facts" concerning the impact of farmed salmon on wild salmon and sea trout smolts (your report, 24 March).

As a scientist himself, we wonder at Dr Webster's response, taking into account the fact that the S&TA review was based on 137 peer-reviewed scientific papers written by 100 different lead scientists, mainly from Norway, Scotland, Canada and Chile.

We also question his assertion that wild fish organisations wish to see an end to the Scottish fish farming industry, when it must be evident to anyone bothering to read the report that our suggested nine-point action plan aims to achieve a sustainable industry which would allow salmon farming to flourish without impacting on Scotland's iconic wild salmon and sea trout.

PAUL KNIGHT

Chief executive, Salmon & Trout Association

Fishmongers' Hall

London