Norway may ban Faroe herring

While welcoming the European Union’s move to implement proposed sanctions against the Faroe Islands over the long running dispute regarding herring and mackerel fishing, Norway said it may take further action.

“We will introduce a ban on landings of herring from the Faroe Islands if the Faroe Islands in 2013 should exceed their traditional share of the herring quota,” said Lisbeth Berg-Hansen, Norway minister of fisheries and coastal affairs. “To ensure that Norway’s and the EU’s measures together have the intended effect, we will implement appropriate measures to prevent that Faroese exports are routed through Norway.

“Norway’s primary concern is to achieve sustainable and fair agreements through negotiations. Norway has a strong commitment to continue constructive negotiations, but we find that unrealistic positions by the Faroes, and equally so by Iceland concerning mackerel, have resulted in the present situation.

Norway introduced a ban on landings of mackerel from Icelandic and Faroese vessels as early as 2012, and I have over the last years had extensive talks with Commissioner Damanaki. I am pleased that the EU now introduces a ban on imports of herring and mackerel from the Faroe Islands and I fully support the actions taken by the EU.”

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