Letter: Salmon in decline

Sir: The new guidance from the Scottish Executive on intensive fish farming does not go far enough, but at least it demonstrates official recognition of the serious problems ("Scotland's salmon farms face strict curbs", 23 November).

One problem you did not mention is that escaped farmed salmon, which have been selectively bred to be fatter, have interbred with wild salmon. The resultant offspring are not strong enough to migrate and therefore do not breed. This is one of the reasons for the decline in the numbers of wild salmon.

You point out that antibiotics are used to stop the spread of disease in the overcrowded fish cages. This applies to other forms of intensive farming too: nearly all pigs, cows and chickens reared for meat are given antibiotics every day in their feed. The resultant increase in the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is already affecting our ability to treat human illness.

RICHARD MOUNTFORD

Animal Aid

Tonbridge, Kent