Here are some of the reports received so far on the Salmon Farm Protest Group Action Hour, 11:00 am — 12:00 noon, Saturday 14th October. Photographs will follow later.

Bruce Sandison, Chairman

WE WILL NOT BE MOVED

Report from SFPG supporter David Oliver, outside Tescos in Bognor Regis

Dear Bruce

I am typing this now on my elderly word processor and will have to fax it to you. This is because Penny is out and in her absence I have undertaken to stay at least one rod's length away from her computer. (That's a dapping rod length).

On Saturday I arrived early at Tesco in order to do some shopping and thus be able to prove that I was a customer.

11:00am, I took up station outside the main exit doors and began to distribute the leaflets on the basis of... "Can I interest you in some information on salmon farming?"

11:05am, and I was approached by "Security" who demanded to know what I was doing and why. I told him. He informed me that I was trespassing and/or causing an obstruction and that I should leave at once. I refused. He went back into the store and made a telephone call (probably Head Office). Meanwhile, the leaflets were going like hot cakes.

11:20am, return of security man armed with the instructions of his "Manager". If I didn't leave at once he had been instructed to call the police. I invited him to do so but suggested that the adverse publicity would probably back-fire on Tesco because I would not go quietly. During these negotiations I continued to issue leaflets to an increasingly interested audience.

11:30am, security again, to offer me one last chance (for which I expressed my gratitude).

11:40am, the tell-tale wail of a police siren. (Not sure how many occupants) Stock of leaflets mercifully decreasing rapidly.

11:45am, a police woman asks me what I am doing. I tell her and give her a leaflet to read at her leisure. She then went into a huddle with the security man. I am then informed that I am indeed trespassing (the land is owned by Tesco) and that if I don't leave at once she will have no option but to arrest me. I explained that I only had 20 or so leaflets left and that as soon as they had been issued I would be happy to leave. I explained my status as a customer, but security said that once I was out of the store that status did not apply.

In a spirit of helpfulness I offered to go back into the store, purchase, say, a tin of sardines and then engage my fellow shoppers in conversation (with handouts), After taking fresh advice both he and the arresting officer said that that wouldn't wash.

11:55am, confrontation ends with the issue of my penultimate leaflet. I thanked my new-found antagonists and left, pausing in the car park only long enough to slip the final leaflet behind the police car's windscreen wipers.

Interestingly I noticed that their car was now boxed-in (Tesco's car park in notoriously difficult to get out of on Saturdays).

Sorry, but photographer couldn't make it. Feedback from those who did comment was mainly positive. Several people indicated an awareness of the issues.

Penny had taken the Press Release, plus a leaflet, to the Bognor Observer on Friday. I have just returned from their offices where I told them briefly of my Saturday experience and they indicated that they would put something in this week's Observer (Thursdays).

Yours aye
David

TARGET EDINBURGH

Report from Bill Brady, family and friends on Princes Street, outside M&S

Bruce

What a week!

Mike Newton and I, along with my daughter Caroline and her friend Penny, both with small children.

We shifted about 260 leaflets in just over an hour. Caroline and Penny moving the bulk — I think people trust woman and children more than fat Mafia lookin' guys dressed funny, and sporting a split-cane fishing rod and a bad-taste tie.

The downside was that I didn't get the photos I should have — I put it off to the end and by that time both kids were throwing a wobbly, hungry, bored and tired I suppose. So it was just a few last minute shots, sorry Bruce.

I found my take-up rate improved if I said "Would you like a leaflet... They're free". I think it was the word 'free' that did it. After all if the supermarket can do 'Buy one, get one free' then so can I.

Here's lookin' at you.

Aye,
Bill B

ACTION REPORT FROM WANDSWORTH, LONDON

From SFPG supporters, Mr & Mrs John Holborow and Patrick Rhea

Hi Bruce

Just to let you know that we had a great morning in Wandsworth, london. Along with Patrick Rhea, my soon to be three year old son, and Mrs Holborow we handed out 350 leaflets (at least).

We had lots of very positive responses, some interested, concerned and occasionally alarmed questions, and an encouraging number of reactions long the lines of "oh, well, I would NEVER buy farmed salmon anyway".

The most amusing comment I got was "bloody animal rights activists".

Thanks for organising it. I fear that it must have cost the SFPG a great deal in printing and other costs, but I hope the website see some more traffic and some more donations as a result of all today's publicity. Recent media coverage of the "is it organic or not debate?" cannot have hurt.

All the best to you all at Hysbackie.
John

LETTER FROM AMERICA

Message to SFPG Edinburgh supporter Bill Brady, from a friend in Rhode Island

Hello Bill,

Many thanks for the education on this farming business which is even more dreadful than I imagined.

As a wee laddie visiting auntie's hotel in Nethybridge I remember having salmon fresh out of the Spey, and what a special treat it was. Sadly, I cannot even remember the last time I had a piece of salmon as all we see is this farm raised crap.

If our colonial cousins, being generally sensitive to deception, knew the circumstances, including the pink dye and toxins etc. there would be a revolt of sorts. To date, I have never seen any report about the industry over here, and people are oblivious to any of the facts . Armed with this new info, I am going to slag it off even more so than usual!!!!

You looked good in the photo by the way, and hope it was an eventful day, and that you changed some minds!

Kind regards
Donald

TESCOS HEAVY-HANDED IN MILNGAVIE

Report from Paul McGill, outside Tescos in Milngavie, Glasgow

Bruce

Not so good from Milngavie . Going well with over 100 posters out at Tescos when the Manager chucked us out. Not allowed to distribute leaflets of any description outside their stores or in car parks. Very firm and quite belligerant he was. We had no problems last time with different manager we pointed out, to no avail. Anyone else experience Tesco trouble?

Paul McGill

SUCCESS IN THE FISH FARMERS HEARTLAND IN THE WEST HIGHLANDS

Report from John Shearer, outside Somerfields supermarket in Ullapool

Bruce,

Distributed leaflets at Somerfield Supermarket in Ullapool yesterday. Supermarket not as busy as I expected, but this is probably due to school holiday: lots of people away on holiday.

Only one person refused to take a leaflet. He lived in Drumbeg and was quite argumentative and very 'pro' fish-farming. He took this stance because of the 'many' jobs it provided for locals. The only other person who was in favour of fish-farms was the wife of a fish farm-worker at Inverpolly. She lived in a tied house she said, but she took a leaflet!

Probably a little more than half who accepted leaflets took them with no comment other than a thank you. Only what you might expect from polite west-coasters!

All the rest were against fish-farming. Several asked how they could influence a store like Somerfield. My reply was that they should complain about the source of the salmon on offer in the store and request that wild-caught fish should be available. (I had an American couple, from Oregon, only too happy to see US salmon being sent over!)

I checked the shelves inside before I started giving out leaflets. On offer were farmed salmon steaks from Norway, smoked salmon from Scotland and salmon 'bits' (hot smoked I think) but with no country of origin displayed on the packaging.

Regards,
John

MESSAGE FROM THE FAR NORTH OF SCOTLAND

SFPG chairman Bruce Sandison's report to John O'Groat Journal for Friday 20th edition

Our Action Hour in Wick and Thurso in Caithness was an unqualified success. Our supporters in Thurso, Dr Betty Mackenzie from Skerray, Elaine Lewis of the Ben Loyal Hotel in Tongue and my wife, Ann, distributed some 250 leaflets to customers outside the Co-op supermarket, whilst I did the same outside Somerfields supermarket in Wick.

I would like to thank everyone who accepted our leaflets for their courtesy in doing so. We hope that it will raise public awareness of the implications involved in buying and eating factory-farmed salmon. We were impressed by the knowledge that people had about these issues, far more extensive than it was the last time we held an Action Hour in October 2002.

The SFPG will continue to bring these matters to public notice, and continue to try to end the nightmare of salmon farming that is destroying our West Highlands and Islands wild salmon and sea-trout. Scotland's wild salmon have survived in our waters since the end of the last Ice Age and we do not intend to sit back and do nothing whilst foreign-owned multi-national companies consign them to extinction in pursuit of private profit.

Thanks again to Thurso and Wick for helping us spread this message.

Bruce Sandison
Chairman
The Salmon Farm Protest Group

ACTION FROM KINGSTON-ON-THAMES

Report from Robert Baldwin, outside Sainsbury's, Kingston-on Thames, London

I can report that I successfully leafleted Sainsburys , Kingston on Saturday morning for the Salmon Farm Protest Group (well, for Bruce) and the customers were surprisingly receptive. Sainsbury's security staff didn't eject me either! I fear that some people who took the leaflet thought that there was some sort of salmon promotion!

With best wishes
Rob Baldwin

RUSH FOR LEAFLETS AT CUMBERNAULD

Reprort from SFPG supporter Jim Waddle, outside ASDA in Cumbernauld

Bruce,

Wow, what a rush that was, not one bad contact, all very positive. I targeted ASDA in Cumbernauld. Many folks asking questions, also quite a few well informed. The hour has to be described as a great success. Hope it was as positive for everybody else.

Jim

CLYDEBANK AND GLASGOW TAXI DRIVERS GET IN ON ACTION HOUR

Report from SFPG supporter Jim Graham, outside the Co-op in Clydebank, Glasgow

Dear Bruce

'Action Hour' in Clyde Shopping Centre

This was my third time leafleting in support of the Salmon Farm Protest Group and the public response just keeps getting better and better.

Opposite the Co-op big store, there is a real hot-spot, between the Cancer Research shop and the British Heart Foundation shop where the leaflets just fly from your hands.

As before, the Clydebank taxi drivers, the Atlantis Bar and fellow anglers were delighted to hand out even more leaflets.

The message from Clydebank is don't buy farmed salmon, go for the good stuff. Wild fish is best!

Yours,
Jim

FROM THE CAPITAL OF THE HIGHLANDS

Report from Jan West, outside Tescos, Inverness

Dear Clan Sandison,

I trust your day went well.

I ended up outside Tesco's main store at the business retail park (they have a total of three Tesco stores in Inverness).

It was remarkably quiet considering it was a lovely, warm sunny Saturday morning.However, I positioned myself on the edge of the main entrance forecourt and approached Tesco customers as they entered and left the store.I tended to open with the question, " Do you eat salmon"? .Then once captured, I asked if they were aware of the issues surrounding the farming of salmon etc.

Most people were very polite / approachable and received a leaflet and promised to read it, I even had two people actively consult me for information and a leaflet.

One gentleman in his late fifties (all stay press trousers and crisply polished shoes) dismissed me with a hostile, "Oh, your one of that lot on the telly the other night claiming that the food salmon are fed is coloured with dye......lies all lies". I pressed my case with the question, " what makes you think it's lies"? but unfortunately his back and his parting, "I've nothing more to say to you" left me with the feeling he was a lost cause.

After my first ten minutes of leafleting, I was approached by one of the manager's of the store and asked what I was doing. I calmly told her what I was doing and handed her a leaflet but it appears she had already got one.She politely informed me that I was on Tesco property and should have sought permission to leaflet their customers.

I said that perhaps someone may have asked already on my behalf but she advised me that she had no information to that effect. I asked if she wanted me to move on. She asked how long I intended to stay. I told her until noon. She seemed happy with that and as long as I did not cause a disturbance of the peace or obstruct the entrance. I agreed to abide by these conditions.

The hour went very quickly and I only managed to distribute approx 50% of my leaflets. I think I talked too much. In saying that, I did get the feeling that a lot of people were on our side. Examples of comments received are:

"I don't like the taste of the farmed stuff"
"I can tell the difference"
"I have seen the press regarding farmed product but didn't realise the extent of the problems"
"I used to work in the salmon farm industry and wouldn't touch the stuff, you wouldn't believe the s**t under and around the pens"

I did get a lot of, "I look for the fish on offer" and " It depends on the price"

I did get many, "We always look for wild fish and will not buy it if it isn't labeled as such" type of comment.

About 25% of folks don't eat fish of any description due to the price and or they just find it without flavour and poor value.

I hope we converted a few today.

Tight Lines,
Jan.

MORE FROM SFPG SUPPORTERS IN LONDON

"Some people were already aware of the farmed salmon issue. They were happy for further information regarding the problems. They definitely expressed a preference for buying farmed salmon in the future." — John Bishop outside Tesco in South Kensington

"People were surprised farmed salmon are given colourants. Farmed salmon should be labelled to show they contain artificial colourings." — Jacob Strobl outside Tesco in South Kensington

"I was glad to offer support and was happy to advise people on why they should not buy farmed salmon. A London bus driver even stopped to take a one of our leaflets. It was encouraging that so many people took time out to listen to our concerns." — Swithin Mason outside M&S and Selfridges on Regent St, Central London

"We made people stop and think twice about buying farmed salmon. Farming carnivorous species such as salmon is like farming tigers. It's like running your motor bike on Chanel No. 5. If it's farmed salmon it cannot possibly be called organic." — Sean Harrington outside Waitrose on Marylebone High Street

"I found all the people very nice and the reaction was extremely positive. People should be eating wild Atlantic salmon as a seasonal treat and delicacy as opposed to farmed salmon as a common everyday sandwich-filler." — Hugh O'Reilly outside Waitrose on Marylebone High Street

"Public awareness about farmed salmon seems to have improved greatly. We have nothing against M&S per se - we just have a gripe about the unsavoury side of the salmon farming industry. Sadly, there is no real definition of what 'organic' salmon means and the public are being seriously mislead. The more you learn about salmon farming the more you realise how many problems there are and how little the public know." — Dr Roderick O'Sullivan outside M&S and Selfridges on Regent St, Central London

"M&S should do the right thing and stop selling salmon farmed in open sea cages. Scientists have shown that salmon farms spread sea lice to wild salmon and sea trout. The level of public awareness is hugely improved since our last protest in 2002 - the public are finally waking up to the negative impacts of salmon farms on wild fish and the potential dangers to consumers". — Roy Christie outside M&S in Ealing Broadway

"A teacher said she would display our information on the school notice board. She was already aware of the farmed salmon issue and wanted to raise awareness of the problems to others who might not be fully aware. One lady thought it was OK to buy 'organic' salmon but did not realise that too was farmed. The Soil Association should not be certifying farmed salmon as 'organic' since it is misleading." — Claudia Bronda outside M&S in Ealing Broadway

LANARKSHIRE ACTION

From David Wright, outside Asda, Hamilton

Well, Asda in Hamilton had the pleasure of my company this morning. In all honesty, I hate doing these things on my lonesome but I ended up giving away almost all the leaflets, with only a small number of polite no-takers.

Jings, I even had some people asking for a leaflet, maybe something to do with boyish looks and rascally charm?

I had a few folk asking about farmed salmon and every one of them was bamboozled with the labeling. They genuinely thought that they were buying the real deal! This is something we must really work on.

David

ACTION FROM THE FIRTH OF TAY

Report by David McGovern, outside Sainsbury's in Broughty Ferry

Our action hour lasted 40 minutes — we were out of leaflets by then! Received very well by most shoppers in Broughty Ferry — lots of support and interesting conversations.

Sainsbury's manager wasnae too chuffed though:

Manager — "Can I help you?"

Me- "Probably not"

Manager (after hearing an explanation and reading a leaflet) "I'll have to ask you to leave"

Me- "No chance"

Manager- "Please don't bother our shoppers"

Me- "Please don't sell farmed salmon"

GRANITE CITY ACTION

News from Fred Carrie and John Cargill, outside Asda at Bridge of Dee, Aberdeen

John and I handed out 200 leaflets at the huge Asda/Walmart store at Bridge of Dee, Aberdeen.

We fully expected to get the old "heave ho" and had contingency plans to move to other stores if need be, but we were not bothered.

A few "no thanks" but most folk seemed to be genuinely interested and some even acknowledged that they were aware of the problems of fish farming which is encouraging. It was soon a case of job done. No excuse really for not supporting a worthwhile cause.

Fred