Salmon Scotland correspondence: FOI release

Information requested

1. Copies of all correspondence between the Scottish Government and the domain ‘@salmonscotland.co.uk’, regardless of subject, between 16 April 2025 to 15 July 2025. Including internal and external correspondence.

2. Minutes from a meeting between Salmon Scotland and Emily Mackintosh on 16 April 2025.

3. Copies of any documents relating to a £100,000 marketing campaign for Label Rouge salmon in France, including plans, spending estimates or other documents.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested in the format you asked for. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under sections of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why those exemptions apply are explained below.

Section 38(1)(b) – Personal data relating to a third party

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) (personal data of a third party) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. Disclosing this information would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

Section 33(1)(b) – Commercial interests

An exemption under section 33(1)(b) of FOISA (commercial interests) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure of this particular information would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of a person or organisation based in Scotland. This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. This exemption recognises that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open and transparent government. However, there is no public interest in releasing information which might damage the commercial interests of a person or organisation in Scotland.

Section 30(b)(ii) – Free and frank exchange of views

An exemption under section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank exchange of views) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. This exemption recognises that there is some public interest in release because disclosure would enhance public scrutiny of Government decision-making. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in preventing the inhibition of the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500475438 - Information released - Annex A

File type

PDF

File size

2.0 MB

FOI 202500475438 - Information released - Annex B

File type

Excel document

File size

45.2 kB