Brexit tops Norwegian conference agenda

NORWAY’S fishing and aquaculture leaders attended a major conference at the end of August to discuss the impact of the UK’s exit from the EU on their country’s economy.

Norway is a major exporter of cod, haddock and farmed salmon to the UK and there are some fears that their products could face tariffs unless new deals are struck.

Europe is by far the biggest market for Norwegian seafood.

In 2015, Norwegian seafood exports to Britain alone totalled around 140,000 tonnes with a value of about 5.1 billion kroners (NOK).

Oslo is inviting businesses to share information about the possible consequences for trade.

The meeting was told that Brexit could result in changed access to the British market, which could lead to increased tariffs and trade barriers or, alternatively, to the easing of barriers.

The Norwegian Seafood Alliance hopes to eventually get full free trade access in seafood with the UK.