EU needs to reexamine trade and fisheries agreements with Norway

European Union member nations must ensure that trade and fisheries agreements established with Norway do not impede on the competitiveness of E.U. processing services and fishery products, according to the Brussels, Belgium-based Market Advisory Council (MAC).Co-funded by the E.U. and comprising organizations representing the seafood value chain, as well as other interest groups, MAC provides advice to the European Commission concerning fishery and aquaculture products. While the E.U. and Norway have maintained longstanding seafood trade relations, action is required to ensure there’s more of a level playing field regarding the access Norwegian fishery and aquaculture products have to the E.U. market, it said.The E.U.-Norway seafood trade relationship is influenced by a series of agreements, specifically the European Economic Area (EEA)’s Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, as well as three E.U.-Norway fisheries agreements.MAC Secretary General Pedro Reis ...