Norwegian seafood authorities are disappointed by a Russian boycott of Norwegian fish, but don’t believe other countries will follow suit. The Russian boycott came into effect from the start of the new year, and covers species including cod, pollock, herring, mackerel, capelin and sprat.
In 2011, Russia was the largest single market for Norwegian seafood. In February 2012, Russian food authorities claimed Norwegian fish production didn’t meet hygiene standards, reported Norwegian Broadcasting NRK. The Russian authorities said they’d found salmonella and E. coli bacteria in Norwegian fish.
Norwegian food authorities aren’t concerned other countries will take up the boycott. “Norway has been subject to periodic sanctions of this kind from Russia since 2006,” said Bjørn Røthe Knudsen from the food safety authority, Mattilsynet. “So far, we haven’t experienced other markets following after them.”
“I don’t think the impact will have a long-lasting and large effect,” said Egil Ove Sundheim from the seafood council, sjømatrådet. Other food products subject to Russian boycotts include Danish pork, American chicken, and fish from China and Vietnam.
newsinenglish.no staff
