'We need to do something about the salmon tax'
Former Prime Minister of Norway, now leader of the Conservative Party (Høyre), Erna Solberg, says she will deregulate the aquaculture industry if there is a change in government next year
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On the first day of the Gath conference in Ålesund, Erna Solberg, the party leader of Høyre, stated that the industry must be honest about the environmental challenges related to issues such as lice and mortality.
"Therefore, we need to ensure that we get the environmental technology scheme in place, and we also need to do something about the salmon tax and the overall tax burden on the industry."
Solberg was clear that the system must be deregulated, and the overall pressure on the industry reduced.
"For many, it is the combination of the wealth tax and the salmon tax that creates a very high tax pressure. For business operators, there is also unpredictability today, and a fear that something new may come from the government."
Highlights Eide's project
The Høyre leader also highlighted that she lives in an area where there have been several reductions in production, as a result of a 'red' designation under Norway's salmon farming traffic light system.
"We believe we need to start rewarding those who can actually prove they have done well and do not have many lice problems, and we need to modernise the traffic light system."
She has among other things visited the fish farmer Eide, and was impressed by its submersible and enclosed cages.
"For example, when Eide operates production in a closed cage, they can, for instance, end up with growth instead of reduction," she says about the changes she wants.
Will introduce quickly
Solberg also emphasised that she is astonished that the current Labour government has not progressed further with the environmental flexibility scheme at this point.
"I hope they manage to come up with something before we come into government. But if they don't manage it, we will introduce it very quickly. Otherwise, the industry stops. You get reductions, salmon tax, wealth tax. All this is demanding for companies that have been around for a very long time," she said to an attentive and agreeing audience in Ålesund.
