February 23, 2006

Norway takes EU salmon dispute to WTO

Norway has intensified the salmon dispute with the EU by taking the issue to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Feb 21.

This is because Norwegian salmon producers have opposed the EU anti-dumping measures imposed on Norwegian farmed salmon last month.

The Norwegian government said it wanted a clarification from the Geneva trade arbiter about the EU measures which it has deemed both technically unjustified and politically motivated. The 25-nation EU does not include Norway as a member.

As the world's largest farmed salmon industry, Norway exports about EUR1 billion worth of salmon a year to the EU. The salmon dispute between Norway and the EU has highlighted the intense rivalry between European salmon producers.