North Lanarkshire Councillor Frank McNally met with Cooke Aquaculture Scotland to hear about the positive social and economic impact the company and the aquaculture sector has on local businesses in the county and across the United Kingdom.
During a visit to its corporate head office at Avondale House in Bellshill, 11 April 2024, the General Election candidate for Coatbridge and Bellshill, and councillor for Mossend and Holytown, praised Cooke’s commitment to prioritising animal welfare to continue growing sustainable premium salmon while sustaining thousands of jobs.
Cooke’s operations in the north and west of Scotland and the north of England play a vital role in ensuring Scottish aquaculture continues to support 3,600 supply chain businesses, an industry worth more than £760 million to the Scottish economy.
Councillor Frank McNally said: “The salmon farming sector provides 2,500 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs across Scotland, including in Coatbridge and Bellshill. As the UK’s largest food export, Scottish salmon makes a significant contribution to our economy.
“It was great to hear from Cooke Aquaculture about the work they are doing to ensure the continued success of Scottish salmon, the steps being taken to build greater sustainability within the sector, while ensuring animal welfare remains a top priority.”
Colin Blair, Managing Director of Cooke Aquaculture Scotland, said: “We were delighted to welcome Frank McNally to our head office in Bellshill where we sell and export tens of thousands of tonnes of fresh Scottish salmon to customers in more than 16 countries around the world.
“As a leading provider of premium Scottish salmon, we employ over 380 staff in highly skilled and highly paid jobs across locations throughout the Scottish mainland, England, and the northern isles of Orkney and Shetland.
“We will continue working with government to grow a low carbon, highly nutritious food which positively impacts supply chain businesses up and down the country.”
Cooke Aquaculture Scotland grows organic salmon using precision farming techniques. National health authorities worldwide and trusted dieticians recommend including oily fish like salmon regularly in your diet – it is one of the world’s best sources of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Cooke’s core purpose is ‘To cultivate the ocean with care, nourish the world, provide for our families, and build stronger communities’.