ASC chief warns new Norwegian salmon tax will penalise sustainable producers.
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has criticised Norway’s proposed new resource rent tax on farmed salmon, arguing that it will disproportionately impact producers who have committed to sustainable farming practices.
In a letter to the Norwegian Ministry of Finance, dated 5 February, ASC CEO Chris Ninnes raised concerns about both the tax’s design and the consultation process, which he described as lacking transparency and failing to engage key stakeholders.
The proposal includes an additional levy of NOK 2 per kilogram on ASC-certified salmon, while other certification schemes are exempt. ASC-certified farms account for more than 40% of Norway’s salmon production, meaning the tax could have broad implications for the industry.
Lack of consultation
Ninnes said ASC was only informed of the proposal in late January through informal discussions with business partners, rather than through official channels. The organisation was not invited to participate in consultations or stakeholder meetings, despite being directly referenced in the tax proposal.
“The lack of inclusion and transparency in this case is blatant and completely unacceptable,” Ninnes wrote, adding that ASC had no opportunity to provide formal input before the consultation closed on January 17.
Editorial: This isn’t policy, it’s sabotage—Norway’s new salmon tax explained
Financial and market consequences
The ASC argues that the additional tax will discourage farmers from pursuing certification, ultimately harming both environmental and social sustainability efforts in Norwegian aquaculture.
“This proposal will disincentivise Norwegian farmers from becoming ASC certified and all the benefits that brings for local communities, workers, fish welfare, farm management and the environment,” Ninnes said.
He also noted that some farms had already paused their ASC certification process due to the financial uncertainty caused by the proposal.
Beyond certification, the ASC warned that the tax could undermine investment in new technology, which is critical for tackling industry challenges such as sea lice, jellyfish blooms, and climate-related risks.
“The future of Norwegian salmon farming depends on technological advancements to address these challenges,” Ninnes wrote. He pointed out that ASC certification is often a requirement for accessing green financing, including loans from Norway’s largest bank, DNB, which is part-owned by the government.
“Contradicts international sustainability efforts”
The ASC further argued that the tax sends the wrong signal to international markets by penalising farms that voluntarily adopt stricter environmental and welfare standards.
“This approach contradicts policies supported by European and international organisations, and indeed the Norwegian Government, to drive improvement in responsible practice across the farmed seafood industry,” the letter states.
Ninnes warned that fewer ASC-certified farms could damage Norway’s reputation in key export markets, where NGOs and activist groups have increasingly targeted Norwegian salmon producers over environmental and welfare concerns.
Call for policy rethink
The ASC is now calling for a meeting with the Norm Pricing Council and project leads to discuss the proposal and ensure that ASC is included in further consultation work.
“We urge policymakers to reconsider this proposal and engage in a transparent and inclusive consultation process,” Ninnes said.
The Norwegian Ministry of Finance has yet to respond publicly to the letter.
