Calls for the processing obligation on all catches
« » For more than two decades, I have been interested in further processing here at home, written articles, other ministers and MPs and trying to influence the debate. Usually I have spoken for deaf ears but blessedly this is finally changing.
He says he has had a conversation with many in the fisheries sector about whether it is not a good idea to ensure full -time domestic processing, especially in terms of cod and haddock.
For the first time, Gunnar wants to see legislation that ensures that all cod and haddock power must be processed domestically, but considers that longer transitional periods for baskets, catfish and other species, where their processing calls for increased specialization.
Gunnar Örlygsson considers it timely to discuss domestic processing obligations on all cod catch and haddock catches as Icelandic fishing vessels.
Photo/Icemar
Now is a song
« Everyone I have talked to agrees on the importance of taking action, » Gunnar says. « People within the industry, managing directors of fisheries companies within the SFS series. Managing Directors of Independent Fish Processors who buy raw materials in fish markets. Managers of independent sales companies.
The only question now is what the government intends to do in the case, according to him.
« With a decline in the Barents Sea and in general high demand, we are in a deadly way to promote Icelandic fish processing and establish value creation that is of great importance to us Icelanders.
To much to work
In support of his case, Gunnar refers to the fact that hundreds of thousands of tonnes have been exported from the country in the past decade.
« What would have been the value creation in the country in this amount? » He asks and answers himself that he estimates that it is about ISK 5 billion a year over the past ten years, or ISK 50 billion during the period. He points out that in that amount there are countless the value created by all services to the fish processing.
« In recent years, it has been pointed out that this export is not great in historical context. To compare these two things must be considered a turnaround at best.
Furthermore, the knowledge that has occurred in Iceland in recent decades in connection with processing and utilization is an important advantage that ensures that a valuable product can deliver maximum prices, according to Gunnar, which points to processing elements, processing equipment, marketing and transport.
« This knowledge is thrown out of the window if fish are transported from the country unfinished. The jobs here at home are also under if exports of unprocessed catches are able to grow unrestricted. »
The weight of image
Gunnar believes that sales of raw fish undermine one of the most powerful marketing equipment of Icelandic products.
« » The hardest part of the debate and also the worst is the part that relates to the image of Icelandic seafood. doubt much more difficult because of the sale of raw materials. «
Huge knowledge has been created in the processing of marine products in Iceland in recent decades.
Photo/Skinney-Thinganes
He believes that by ensuring domestic processing, the knowledge created in connection with the processing of seafood can be safeguarded and supports continued development in this area. At the same time, value creation on the basis of limited resources will be increased with the associated positive effects on the increase in jobs, both directly and indirectly through increased activity of companies that provide processing for equipment and equipment. This will then return the Treasury and municipalities with increased revenue.
Gunnar says that with domestic processing obligations, the competition for the raw material will be limited to domestic fish processing in domestic fish markets. « In this way, we prevent unequal competition with our own raw materials with state -sponsored fish processing in Europe. »
Furthermore, he says increased domestic processing of seafood facilitates image and quality management.
