Norway’s ‘protectionist’ tariffs on imports criticised by Irish MEP

Ireland South MEP Seán Kelly has criticised Norway’s “protectionist” import tariffs of up to 429% on some food products, despite its commitment to the single market.

Since Jan 1, European exporters of certain cheeses, lamb, and beef meat have faced duties of 277%, 429%, and 344% respectively in the Norwegian market. Irish exports to Norway in 2010 were worth around €11m, according to Bord Bia.

Mr Kelly has co-signed amendments at European Parliament level, calling on Norway to urgently withdraw the new tariffs, which he claims are in breach of the spirit of the single market. The EU ambassador to Norway, Janos Herman, also claimed that the Norwegian tariffs were in breach of the EEA trade agreement which came into effect in January.

“These measures are protectionist and prohibitive to trade and clearly breach the ethos of the EEA agreement which Norway is a party to, and go against the very spirit of the Single market,” said Mr Kelly. “The new tariffs were imposed without any consultation with the EU and I urgently call on the government to withdraw the measures.”

Mr Kelly also pointed to the public record of a letter from Mar 9, 2011, from the Norwegian trade and industry minister to the European commissioner for the internal market and services on the Single Market Act. The letter stated: “An efficient single market is a foundation for future growth and job creation and that the current crisis should not be used as an excuse to turn to protectionist and trade distorting measures.”

In Nov 2012, Norway expressed concerns over a new Russian live animal import system of permits subject to veterinary control, one of a number of new Russian measures that were criticised by the EU as “protectionist” and anti-competitive.

In a bid to protect its domestic economy, Russia last year also introduced a ban on imports of live animals from the EU and a recycling fee on imported vehicles.

The European Parliament had sought to enter into negotiations with Norway to achieve increased bilateral agricultural products trade. Sweden has been prominent among critics of Norway’s raised import tariffs on certain cheeses and beef.

“We see a movement from Norway towards more trade barriers. I hope the resolution can facilitate increased trade and be thought-provoking,” Swedish MEP Christofer Fjellner told agriculture newspaper Nationen.

“We need to sit down around the negotiating table and find solutions both stand to profit rather than imposing unilateral toll increases.”

Under Norway’s new import tariff scheme, each kilogramme will be subject to excess amounts based on the product’s purchase price. It replaces the current preset amount in kroner, and affects products such as steaks, fillets of beef, lamb, and hard cheeses — with the exception of some cheeses, such as Manchego and Parmesan. Soft cheeses such as brie are exempt from import tariff measures.

Norwegian dairy co-op Tine had previously called for increased duties on cheeses that directly compete with Jarlsberg and Norvegia. Reactions by consumers led to that proposal being dropped.