State Secretary Vidar Ulriksen

13 July 2006, Molde

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Norwegian aquaculture industry is a success story: From a modest beginning some 40 years ago, to a blooming and viable industry today. However, the industrialization makes it important to ensure the safety of consumers, fish and the environment. In that perspective, organic aquaculture is an important addition to the general standards for fish health, fish welfare, food safety and environmental issues. In order to fulfill these high standards, there are several challenges that have to be met.

Environmental challenges

One of the most important environmental challenges is escape of farmed fish. The Ministry’s view is that the number of escaped fish should be limited to an absolute minimum. In 2005 and the beginning of 2006 we saw several breakdowns of aquaculture installations with escaped farmed fish as a result. On this background I would like to emphasize that:

Escape must be taken seriously. Every escape is one too many.

Last week our minister, Helga Pedersen, announced a commission on escape of farmed fish. The commission will play an important role in the mapping of causal relation; in building a knowledge base on loss of installations; and in a systematic work to reduce the risk of escape and breakdown.

The NYTEK-regulation is another of the latest additions to preventing escape of farmed fish. The regulation entered into force 1 January this year, and will ensure a higher technical standard on the aquaculture installations.

The concept of National Salmon Fjords and National Salmon Watercourses contributes to protect the Norwegian wild salmon stocks. Currently, we are preparing to expand from 37 National Salmon Watercourses and 21 National Salmon Fjords to a total of approximately 50 National Salmon Watercourses with conjoining fjords. The Governments aim is to present a proposal to the Parliament late this year. This will improve the protection of wild salmon stocks, and contribute to a more sustainable aquaculture activity. It is, however, important to balance the protection of wild salmon with the needs of the aquaculture industry. In collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy we strive to strike such a balance.

Fish health

To ensure good fish health is another challenge for both the industry and the authorities. No other single factor has created larger losses for the industry than diseases. Sufficient control with diseases is vital to reduce use of medicines. For salmon, this is an area where we really have succeeded.

Today the use of antibiotics in aquaculture is low. Lately however, there has been an increase in the total use of antibiotics due to needs in cod production. This is currently countered by several measures: The authorities stimulate research on deceases and vaccines against deceases affecting cod; We provide a statistical overview on the use of antibiotics; Furthermore, we are developing a system to monitor cod production in relation to decease and state of health.

Infection of wild populations is also a heath issue the authorities have made a priority. A good example is the work that has been done on salmon lice. The most important means of reducing the problem of lice in wild stocks is to prevent, monitor and combat salmon lice in fish farms. These measures have been emphasised in the National action plan to combat salmon lice.

Fish health and fish welfare are, of course, closely related.

Fish welfare

Absence of disease is central element of welfare. This means that the combat of diseases is vital for fish welfare. It is necessary to establish management practices that safeguards fish used in aquaculture production. Key elements here are density of fish in the net cage, and water quality. Requirements for transport and slaughter are also areas where the authorities and the industry have used resources to improve management practices in order to ensure the level of welfare.

Feed

The supply of feed is a very important part of aquaculture, and this is an area where there are several challenges for both the farmers and the feed industry. A main challenge is to ensure supply of enough feed that holds an acceptable quality. Another challenge is that the feed may contain unwanted substances. Nevertheless, it is important to point out that the feed on the market today is safe. However, the focus on food safety has to be kept. Furthermore, the feed has to be environmentally sustainable. This means that the feed should only contain ingredients that do not overtax nature. As a consequence of these aspects, a practical problem is to supply a sufficient quantity of feed of a quality that is acceptable also in the future. The industry has to face these issues increasingly. They have to take responsibility, and assume a leading role in the development of a feed that satisfies all these demands from producers and consumers.

Debio

Norwegian fish is marketed as seafood from pure, cold and clear waters in the North. Our legislative framework for aquaculture sets high standards for fish welfare, food safety and the environment. This puts us in the forefront of the development and consumer demands. The requirements for organic aquafarming are even more ambitious and comprehensive. To be marketed under such standards, the seafood must be of superior quality, fulfilling specific standards in a variety of areas. Debio sees to that these higher standards are met. Their work is vital for the enforcement of the legislation related to organic aquaculture.

New legislation

The EU Regulation on organic production is about to be amended. Generally the amendment entails simplification and better regulation of organic production. On organic aquaculture in particular it implies a harmonization of the various national standards. The proposals are to be adopted late this year, and the Norwegian regulation on organic production will be amended where it is necessary to be in line with the new EU legislation.

The Soria Moria-declaration and working group

The Soria Moria-declaration emphasizes the Government’s goal of a 15 % market share for organic food within 2015. Furthermore, it is pointed out that Norway has fallen behind when it comes to the availability of organic food to the consumer. The Government wants to strengthen this area. Currently, only 1 to 3 % of the total food production is organic. To reach the goal of 15 %, the Government has to implement and facilitate measures to speed up the process. On this background a governmental working group has recently been established. The working group has representatives on a political level from relevant ministries, and is chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The mandate of the working group is to prepare a strategy to meet the Government’s goals for both organic food production and organic food consumption. A report presenting such a strategy is due 1 October 2006.

Conclusion

I am very happy to be here today. The workshop focuses on a timely issue which is important for the Government. Organic aquaculture is not only important in it self, but also as a flagship for enhancing the quality of all farmed fish. Seen from this angle, organic production and products can pick up on –and create new trends in the consumer’s future demands. This may contribute to meet the goal of an even more sustainable aquaculture industry, and at the same time upholding Norway’s reputation as a provider of clean and safe food.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the initiators for facilitating this workshop.

I also hope that all of you participants will enjoy the presentations, and your stay here in Molde.

I wish you all good luck with the workshop.

Thank you!