Most regulated industry?


Is Tasmanian salmon farming the most regulated in the world? Not according to the Norwegians, Canadians and New Zealanders.

Industry mouthpiece Salmon Tasmania claims that in Tasmania "there are over 40 laws currently in place to regulate environmental impact of Tasmania's salmon industry. These regulations, and our reporting requirements, are significantly stricter than any other industry in this State. . . . Tasmanian government regulations are admired as the most stringent in the global salmon industry. We have more red tape than Norway, New Zealand, Chile and Scotland."

Not true.

It all depends on definitions, and what you count. Formal Acts of Parliament? Government and industry standards? Regulations? Salmon Tasmania does not specify what and how they are counting. Without specification and evidence it's just hype.

It's also important to define the scope of these laws, standards and regulations. All Tasmanian businesses have to comply with a large number of Federal and Tasmanian Acts, regardless of the nature of their operations. These include business registration, taxation, fair trading, consumer protection, employment, and workplace safety. Add to these assorted local government requirements and business-specific regulations.

It's not hard to make this add up to 40. Worksafe Tasmania alone lists 29 Acts and regulations applying to most businesses. 27 could apply to Aquaculture, or your local pub, delicatessen or welding shop.

Worldwide however, Norway is regarded as having the strictest regulations, though the Canadians and New Zealanders also stake their claims, New Zealand claiming 110 and Canada 73.

Salmon Tasmania will no doubt say that conditions are different overseas, and they are: countries where sea lice infestations are transparently reported and controlled (unlike Tasmania), or where farmed Atlantic salmon are a real threat to the survival of native wild salmon, should and do have stricter controls. We would hope so!

But where does this leave Salmon Tasmania's claim that "Tasmanian government regulations are admired as the most stringent in the global salmon industry. We have more red tape than Norway, New Zealand, Chile and Scotland."?