Union calls for research into risks

SNP ministers have been accused of ignoring “salmon asthma” risks to thousands of fish farm workers despite multiple Scottish cases.

- BY DAN VEVERS

We revealed last week how fish farm staff could be at risk of exposure to chemicals which cause “salmon asthma”.

The Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) wrote to the Scottish and UK governments, the UK's health and safety watchdog and a Holyrood committee about concerns, including the inhalation of dangerous aerosols made up of fish proteins.

It has branded the response “beyond disappointing” and in a letter seen by the Sunday Mail, Business Minister Richard Lochhead says all fish farm workplace health and safety is reserved to Westminster so he is “unable to engage on them directly”.