Photo: Mattilsynet.
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) has announced it is preparing a new set of animal welfare rules for the aquaculture sector, with entry into force planned for January 2027.
The proposed regulation will apply across the aquaculture value chain, covering farming facilities, transport operations, processing and related activities. The authority says the aim is to strengthen animal welfare by bringing together provisions that are currently spread across several different regulations and revising them in light of updated scientific knowledge.
At present, requirements for animal welfare in aquaculture are set out through individual clauses in multiple pieces of legislation. Mattilsynet said it is working to bring these rules together under a single framework and align them with both national legislation and obligations as part of the European Economic Area.
The authority states that a key objective of the work is to reduce mortality and improve welfare outcomes for farmed fish during production, transport and slaughter.
"The Norwegian Food Safety Authority will seek input from the industry, research and knowledge institutions, professional communities, other authorities, and animal welfare organisations to ensure a robust and practical regulatory framework," the organisation said, in a Norwegian language announcement.
The proposal will be drafted during the first half of 2026 in cooperation with relevant expert communities and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, the authority said. A public consultation is also due to follow later in the year, before the final text is completed and formally adopted.
The move to consolidate the regulations follows Mattilsynet's decision to consolidate all aquaculture-related oversight in Norway under one unit, with the launch in 2024 of its new national aquaculture supervisory division, led by experienced aquaculture veterinarian Bård Skjelstad.