Scotland could benefit from tax row, says Norwegian salmon farmer

Scotland could end up as one of the winners from Norway’s increasingly bitter salmon tax row, a leading Norwegian fish farmer has said.

Sondre Eide, General Manager of the company Eide Fjordbruk, told the regional broadcaster NRK Vestland that he was not happy with the Oslo government’s latest proposal which includes reducing the basic ground rent tax rate from 40% to 35%.

He said it could lead to Norway losing its competitive advantage to rival countries such as Scotland, Iceland and Canada.

Eide argued: “It is a sad day – the winners are those farming nations on the list right behind Norway.

“There are no incentives for sustainable technology development. This tax will cause Norway to lose its competitive advantage against Iceland, Scotland and Canada.”

Eide Fjordbruk is located in the west Norwegian fjords and has been in business for around three generations. It is noted for producing high quality salmon and trout.

Eide said the government should have structured the new levy as a progressive tax: “The more sustainable the technology, the lower the tax (rate) should be. In this way, incentives could be given for technology development.”

The NRK interviewer then said: “Eide Fjordbruk made a profit of NOK 120m [£9.3m] in 2021. Your company isn’t doing badly?”

Eide replied: “No, I’m thinking more about Norway. If I were running AS Norge and my goal was to be the most attractive place to invest in, it should be the most technologically or financially attractive.

“Now it becomes more attractive to spend your money investing in other nations.”