the potential of english trout farms to increase output with special reference to the danish model...

David BassettBritish Trout Association

www.britishtrout.co.uk david.bassett@britishtrout.co.uk

Structure Current structure and

value of the English industry

A brief history of the Danish Model Farm experience

Potential for the application of the Danish experience within England

Other strategies for sustainable growth

Conclusions

Current size and value of the sector (UK) Table Farming- English Table Farming- Organic (Brown) Trout

Production

Restocking FarmingBrownRainbow

Trout Fisheries (E&W)

Plus value of processed andvalue added product andassociated angling activity.

FSV = £22 million c.6,000 tonnes 200 tonnes – and declining

FSV = £10 million 3,100 (18%) tonnes 350 (2%) tonnes

£ 150 million

Large Trout

Current Market Trends Sales have remained constant, but lack

of growth is due to shortage in production.

Demand for the product is increasing Shortfall being met by imports. Ex farm prices remain low (around cost

of production) Hope for improvement with regard to

ownership of the sector Low “Carbon Footprint” (compared to

other food groups) Low environmental impact (compared

to other food groups – e.g. Water use) Healthy and nutritious product (omega

3, selinium etc) Referenced in Government backed

healthy and nutrition advice (FSA, goodtoeat etc)

General Industry Observations Health message well known Political healthy eating messages

are a bonus Strong support for aquaculture in

the devolved regions (WAG, SFSA)

Key trend for locally sourced produce emerging (Wales, Scotland)

80% of UK trout farmed is consumed in the southern half of England, but only half of that is farmed there

Trout production is more than farming – UK (and beyond) integrated industry wrt production, processing, distribution and consumption of product

A Brief History of the “Model Farm” Traditional river based

trout farming What is a “model” farm? The two types of model

farm: Type I / Type III Why did the Danish

embrace the “model farm” strategy?

Production Water SourceTons per year of fish / feed

Water Inflow Re-Circulating Biofilter

Portion Trout Borehole 1100 / 984 100 litre per sec 450 litre per sec Yes

An Example Model Farm

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Model Farm

+ Use less water Improved farm design Allow for more intensive

farming at a greater level of stocking density

More efficient use of energy (specifically with regard to oxgyenation of water)

- Rely on appropriate location,

groundwater etc Standard energy costs Product quality issues (taint /

geosmin build up) Parasite build up (ich) Problems with antibiotics

and other treatments in the event of disease

Unsuitable for all types of farming enterprise

Capital investment costs Nitrate levels in discharge

Where there is not potential Restocking

The most valuable sector and supporting an angling industry worth £150million

Where there is not an issue with water resource – Yorkshire

Where geography and geology does not permit (groundwater).

Where there is insufficient profitabilty to set up and pay running costs!

Where biosecurity cannot be maintained / assured

Potential for application with England There is...!

But: As always with trout farming,

site specific Capital start up costs are very

high – level of profitability not in the industry to cover it without significant grant funding (EFF) and over time.

Some (partial) re-circ technology may be employed, or “model” parts of an existing farm – e.g. Hatcheries

Other strategies for sustainable growth

Access to freshwater sites – cage / river sites – but is this likely?

Intensification of farming (permitted w.r.t. discharges etc)

Improved and strategic cooperation within the industry

Maximise access to funding sources

Broodstock improvement and development

Improved efficiency in the farming method (decrease mortalities and improve output)

Improved price and profitability to encourage production etc

Continued marketing and promotion of the product at all levels

Conclusions: The English trout market is

strong At present demand is

increasing Trout is an excellent product Consumption of trout fits

with Defra and FSA advice on fish consumption

There are benefits to the Danish model farm system

There are serious drawbacks also.

The costs are high Replication of the Danish

model cannot be the easy answer for the English sector, but relevant to certain sites

There is a requirement to look to alterative and additional strategies to improve production and efficiency