Oslo to face legal action over ‘red light’ district
THE Norwegian government is expected to face legal challenges to its new salmon farming traffic light scheme from companies caught up in the red zones, it has emerged.
Up to 140 businesses in the two red areas will be forced to cut back on production by up to six per cent or around 9,000 tonnes, under the system, which divides the country into 13 districts.
The Department of Trade and Fisheries, which unveiled the map on February 4, said it is bringing in the measures because of the lice threat to salmon stocks. But it is emphasising that large parts of Norway have been placed in green or growth areas which will lead to a net increase in production of around 23,000 tonnes.
Grieg and Lerøy are likely to benefit the most because the bulk of their operations are in the green zones.
SalMar and Mowi, which have 17 and 20 per cent of production respectively in the red areas, are likely to take the biggest hit.
Reaction has been mixed, with environmental and sports fishing groups saying the proposals have not gone far enough. But some lawyers are saying that the government has a duty to send the new regulations to businesses for consultation before they can be implemented.