Farmers in ‘Norwegian salmon’ probe
EUROPEAN Union officials visited several Norwegian owned salmon companies in Scotland last month to explore alleged anti-competitive behaviour in the sector.
Grieg Seafood, Mowi (formerly Marine Harvest) and Scottish Sea Farms were all subject to inspections.
But although Scottish producers were at the centre of enquiries, Norway was believed to be the main target of the investigation.
In a letter reportedly sent by the EC to the companies, it was information regarding Norwegian farmed salmon that prompted the move.
The letters were sent by the EC earlier in the month notifying some of the companies that there would be inspections in February.
The letter said the commission had received information ‘alleging that some Norwegian producers of farmed Norwegian Atlantic salmon’ had participated in ‘anti-competitive agreements’.
Norway is not an EU member state and as an EEA (European Economic Area) country is not under the same EU jurisdiction as the UK.
The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) said it believed the focus of the investigation was outside Scotland.
‘The SSPO is aware of the inspections carried out by EC officials at premises belonging to salmon companies in relation to allegations of anti-competitive practices,’ said the organisation in a statement.
‘However, we understand the focus of the investigation is another jurisdiction, not Scotland.’
A spokesperson for Scottish Sea Farms said:‘We can confirm that we, like other Norwegian owned companies in Scotland, have been visited by EC officials and are cooperating fully.’
Grieg said: ‘Grieg Seafood aims to be open, transparent and forthcoming and will provide all necessary information requested by the European Commission DG Competition in its investigation.’
An EC statement said: ‘The Commission has concerns that the inspected companies may have violated EU anti-trust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices (Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union). The Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the relevant national competition authorities.
‘Unannounced inspections are a preliminary investigatory step into suspected anti-competitive practices.The fact that the Commission carries out such inspections does not mean that the companies are guilty of anti-competitive behaviour nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself.
‘There is no legal deadline to complete inquiries into anti-competitive conduct. Their duration depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of each case, the extent to which the companies concerned co-operate with the Commission and the exercise of the rights of defence.’