Discussions with the salmon farming industry, including Marine Harvest, SSPO & Wester Ross Fisheries/Salmon: EIR release

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. 

An exemption under section 29(1)(a) of FOISA (formulation or development of government policy) applies to some of the information requested because it relates to the development of the Scottish Government’s policy on aquaculture.

Please see document below.

Reasons for not providing information 

The Scottish Government does not have the information

The Scottish Government does not have the information you have asked for. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.  

Section 29(1)(a) – formulation or development of government policy 

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate.  However, there is a greater public interest in high quality policy and decision-making, and in the properly considered implementation and development of policies and decisions. This means that Ministers and officials need to be able to consider all available options and to debate those rigorously, to fully understand their possible implications. Their candour in doing so will be affected by their assessment of whether the discussions on developing aquaculture policy will be disclosed in the near future, when it may undermine or constrain the Government’s view on that policy while it is still under discussion and development.