"It is evident that we can no longer remain passive while this ban harms and threatens the very existence of our industry," the Union warns.
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Salmon processors across the European Union have joined together to form a new collective body, The European Salmon Processors Union - and have issued an urgent proposal addressing the negative impacts of Norway's export ban on production-grade salmon, or so-called "prod-fish".
In an open letter published on its website addressed "To the European salmon industry", the new Union, formed by multiple salmon processors from Poland, Denmark, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, and France, offers a harsh critique of the Norwegian policy.
"This export ban favors a couple of domestic Norwegian salmon processors, while leaving thousands of EU salmon buyers with lacking availability and extreme prices for superior and ordinary salmon," the Union states.
"It is evident that we can no longer remain passive while this ban harms and threatens the very existence of our industry," it warns.
The Union is also inviting interested parties to sign its petition calling for an end to the trade ban.
Norway's trade legislation on salmon only allows the export of superior and ordinary grades, while "production-grade" salmon must be processed domestically to ensure quality control.
This, the ESP Union notes, has led to a significant rise in the percentage of prod-fish, from less than 8% to over 40% at times, causing supply and price issues for European processors.
The Union argues that the ban on prod-fish exports unfairly benefits a few Norwegian processors, harms EU salmon buyers by limiting availability and inflating prices, and encourages fraudulent practices. Additionally, they claim the ban constitutes illegal protectionism and disrupts market efficiency.
The Union also refutes the argument that Norwegian salmon's reputation would be damaged if prod-fish is allowed to be exported, describing this as "disinformation".
The letter argues that other countries like the Faroe Islands, Scotland, and Ireland, which do not have a trade ban on production-grade salmon, do not suffer any reputational consequences from allowing such exports.
The Union proposes that the European Commission lift the ban or grant dispensations when prod-fish exceeds 8% of total harvests, citing European Court of Justice rulings on free movement and fair competition.
The letter invites stakeholders affected by the ban to join their initiative, aiming to protect the industry and ensure fair competition.
This latest development adds further pressure to an already tense situation, with the EU listing Norway's export ban as a trade barrier, and Norwegian authorities recently announcing a crackdown on illegal exports of production grade fish, and undertaking a series of audits on major industry players.
