Norway and the European Union have signed an agreement that allows some Norwegian products free access to EU markets.
Kjell Ingebrigtsen at Norges Fiskarlag has commented that this is good news and they are pleased that the agreement is now in place.
‘It’s hard to be anything but positive that the agreement is now finally in place, he said, commenting that the European market is of key importance to Norwegian producers and the agreement brings increased quotas for various pelagic products.
‘There’s still a long way to go to get ideal export conditions for Norwegian seafood to the EU. The industry submitted the issue to Minister Elisabeth Aspaker and we look forward to Norwegian seafood getting free market access to the important European market.’
There is increased access with tariff-free quotas for fillets and processed products including frozen mackerel and fresh herring. The export quota for marinaded herring is lifted by 50% and the agreement validity period is increased from five years to seven, taking it through to 2021.
‘The EU is our most important market and it has great significance for Norwegian seafood industry that we put in place several duty free quotas,’ Fisheries Minister Per Sandberg is quoted as saying.
