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The Norwegian Norm Price Council has introduced an additional tax on ASC-certified salmon, arguing that farmers benefiting from premium pricing for sustainably farmed fish should contribute more in taxes. However, ASC argues that this move unfairly penalises farms adhering to stricter environmental and social standards standards that are already more rigorous than Norwegian national regulations.
ASC officials have raised concerns that this policy could discourage sustainability initiatives within the aquaculture sector. With only ASC-certified farms affected, while less stringent certification schemes remain exempt, there is a risk that farmers may opt out of voluntary sustainability commitments to avoid financial strain.
“We understand that this addition to the norm price is purely fiscal and intended to generate revenue. Nevertheless, the added fee will undermine several years of progress towards more sustainable aquaculture in Norway. This is a tax on accountability when authorities should make it attractive for farmers to choose the most responsible and transparent certification scheme on the market," said Laetitia Rosing, producer outreach and Nordics regional manager at ASC, in a press release.
ASC has sought dialogue with Norwegian authorities to discuss these implications, most recently addressing a letter to the Ministry of Finance in January. However, their request for an urgent meeting has so far gone unanswered.
"How can an internationally recognised environmental organisation be completely ignored in a decision that directly affects our work? If the goal was truly to ensure fair taxation in the industry, alternative solutions should have been considered. Instead, Norwegian authorities, without dialogue with ASC, which is explicitly mentioned in the decision, have introduced a policy that opposes sustainable production," stated Rosing.
ASC has outlined three major risks resulting from the new tax:
- Increased reputational risk for Norwegian salmon, as export markets demand increasingly stronger sustainability commitments.
- Reduced investment in innovation, as manufacturers are likely to pause or innovation projects promoting sustainability.
- A setback for global sustainability goals, as environmental requirements weaken and the ASC reinvests certification revenues in developing more responsible aquaculture.
"This decision will be a direct step backwards for responsible aquaculture. The Norm Price Council may not have intended to oppose sustainability, but that is precisely what they are doing. We urge the Norwegian authorities to re-evaluate this tax and enter into dialogue to find a fair and balanced solution that does not punish those who are leading the industry towards a more responsible future," Rosing concluded.
