OSLO: Norwegian authorities have confirmed that marketing levies on seafood sales used to fund the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) will be cut from the start of 2017 onwards.
The industry and fisheries ministry announced the levy on salmon, trout and the main pelagic fish species such as herring and mackerel will halve, from 0.6% to 0.3%, as of Jan. 1. For other species such as cod, the level of 0.75% duty will be maintained.
“We are pleased that the authorities in the current situation have chosen to listen to the industry, and lowered marketing levies for export of seafood,” said the managing director of the Norwegian Seafood Federation, Geir Ove Ystmark.
“This is essentially in line with our contribution to the adjustment of export duties on seafood and based on what we perceive as a clear signal from the industry. We note that the reduction on salmon and trout is greater than we asked for — but will still give Norwegian seafood plentiful budget for these species in the light of the market situation,” he said.
The federation had hoped for duty reductions on other species as well. By the end of 2016 the NSC will have received around NOK 560 million ($64.5m) from statutory levies on the export of fish and shellfish.
This is a significant increase, even after the tax rates were also lowered last year. The reason is strong demand for Norwegian seafood, and generally good prices on the world market. According to authorities, the adjustment to fees should provide expected revenues to the NSC of NOK 350m for 2017.
The Seafood Federation wants to see a flexibility to the charges, so they can be adjusted either up or down in line with industry’s demand for generic marketing.
