The Fisheries Minister, Victoria Prentis MP, has undertaken her first official visit to Norway to support trade links and build cooperation on fisheries management.
The visit took place from Monday 23rd August to Wednesday 25th August and included a meeting with Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen, the Norwegian Fisheries and Seafood Minister, and meetings with trade and industry stakeholders.
Norway is a key partner for the UK with a long history of cooperation across trade, science and energy.
Earlier this year, the UK and Norway signed a new Free Trade Agreement to secure a closer trading partnership. This is coupled with a Memorandum of Understanding with Norway to advance science and research cooperation on the polar region, an important milestone ahead of the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow later this year.
Fisheries Minister Victoria Prentis was keen to explore the parallels between the UK and Norway, both independent coastal states in the North Sea, as the UK begins to chart a new course and sets out a new approach to fisheries management.
Fisheries Minister, Victoria Prentis, said:
It was a pleasure to visit Norway and meet with Minister Ingebrigtsen to build on the strong partnership that exists between our nations on fisheries, trade and energy.
While we agree on many issues, there are fisheries management issues where we have differences. However, the strength of our relationship means that we can discuss areas of disagreement maturely and constructively.
The UK and Norway have much in common as independent coastal states, and with increased investment in our vibrant aquaculture industries we are both key producers of sustainable seafood.
The Minister had the opportunity during her visit to address 'Aqua Nor', Norway's premier trade show for aquaculture producers and technology. She paid tribute to the links between Norwegian investment and the UK's development of a renowned aquaculture sector - Scottish salmon, supported by this investment, is now the UK's biggest food export.
The Minister expressed her desire to see the further sustainable growth of the sector and saw a range of technical innovations that increase the sustainability and yield of aquaculture farming.
In discussions with Minister Ingebrigtsen, the Norwegian Fisheries and Seafood Minister, the UK Minister stressed maximising the working relationship between the two nations on fisheries ahead of resuming consultations on a bilateral annual agreement for 2022 in the autumn.
