Scottish Minister welcomes WTO Panel rejection

The Norwegian government said the WTO's ruling was in favour of Norway. They claimed it demonstrated that the EU had made several errors in the way it handled the case and called for a cancellation of minimum import prices on Norwegian salmon.

But commenting on the Dispute Panel report, Scottish Minister for Environment Michael Russell said he welcomed the Panel’s decision to reject Norway’s call for scrapping the EU measures:

"The Scottish Government firmly believes EU anti-dumping measures against farmed salmon from Norway are necessary, proportionate and fair.

"These measures are important in protecting our Scottish industry from unfair competition. I welcome the Panel's rejection of Norway's call for the EU measures to be withdrawn.

"I am pleased too that the Panel has also found in the EU's favour on a number of key points.

"I expect the European Commission to, where appropriate, appeal on a number of points on which the Panel has initially found in Norway's favour.

"In the meantime the EU anti-dumping measures against imports of farmed salmon from Norway remain fully in force. The Scottish Government, together with the UK Government, will continue to work closely with the European Commission to maintain this position," he said.