Iceland’s Minister responsible for fisheries is presenting a parliamentary bill proposing to combine three government departments dealing with food and fisheries into a single entity.
Minister Hanna Katrín Friðriksson’s proposal is for the Food and Veterinary Authority, the Directorate of Fisheries and the Pricing Commission be combined into a single institution.
A feasibility study carried out for the ministry has established that these three bodies all conduct inspections of foodstuffs, with opportunities for rationalisation and with offices in largely the same locations around the country.
The bill sets out that there are opportunities for a cohesive policy and conduct of activities in both foodstuffs production and fisheries, with accompanying possibilities to improve services and reduce bureaucracy.
‘Streamlining government and merging institutions is a priority for the government and this proposal is in line with this,’ the minister said.
‘The focus is on effective and transparent service, digital development and efficient branches around the country dedicated to enhancement of economic activity and value creation. This new institution will be an attractive workplace for our leading specialists in this sector.’
The merger of these government institutions is expected to become effective as of January 2027.
