May 13, 2008

EU set to drop trade measures against Norwegian salmon

Rumours that the EU is set to drop its anti-dumping measures against imports of farmed salmon from Norway, ending a long-running trade dispute, is growing.

According to Reuters, "people familiar with the decision" said trade officials have recommended the measures be dropped.

The EU imposed minimum import prices on Norwegian salmon in 2006 after nearly a decade of negotiations, saying the fish was being sold at unfairly low prices and damaging fish farms in Scotland and Ireland.

Norway denied it was breaking trade rules and took its case to the WTO.

After an internal review, trade officials at the EU's executive European Commission have reportedly recommended to EU member states that the minimum prices be eliminated.

The Commission's recommendation will be discussed by trade experts from EU governments this month and is almost certain to be approved, the people familiar with the case said.

The WTO found last year that the EU was at fault in its handling of the salmon dumping case.

The EU is Norway's biggest export market for seafood.