Marine Harvest vs. Norway 1 - 0

EFTA`s surveillance agency ESA supported Marine Harvest`s claim that the maximum allowed ownership of biomass is in conflict with the common EU and EFTA rules on free entrepreneurship. Marine Harvest won the first round in what is believed to be a long lasting case.

Marine Harvest is the far biggest salmon farming company in Norway and in the world. In Norway the company owns 207 licenses, which is 24% of the total salmon production volume.

- We want to expand and this rule is a serious obstacle, says Alf Helge Aarskog, CEO in Marine Harvest. The company`s communication director, Marthe Grindaker adds that they are glad ESA came to the same conclusion.

The Norwegian Ministry of fishery, aquaculture and costal affairs has to answer the ESA allegations of breaking the treaty within two months.