– May 25, 2023
A dramatic late deal appears to have been reached on the Norwegian government’s proposed salmon tax.
The Labor-Centre coalition appears to have reached an agreement on the salmon tax or land rent tax with the Venstre Party (Liberal) and the Patient Approach, which has just one seat in the Norwegian Parliament .
According to the financial news portal e.24.no, the Liberals have achieved their demand to reduce the basic rate to 25%. It was originally 40% and political horse trading had reduced it to 35%.
Whether this will be enough to satisfy the salmon farming sector remains to be seen, but fish farming shares rose on the Oslo Stock Exchange this afternoon following the news.
E24 reports that Eigil Knudsen, chairman of the Parliament’s Finance Committee, has said that it is good that such an important industry for Norway now has predictable framework conditions.
Knudsen added: “There is now broad cross-party support in the Storting for the land rent tax in aquaculture.
“We are now implementing a historic land rent tax in Norway, which means that companies that use communal land for commercial activities pay a tax to the community and local communities that have agricultural activities.”
The deal means the parties will now submit a joint proposal for a vote in the Storting, Norway’s parliament, on May 31.
Earlier it looked like the issue would end in chaos after failing to reach an agreement. Last week four main political parties abandoned talks on the issue.
His departure left the government in negotiations with the Socialist Left party that had asked for a 48% rate and the inclusion of cod.
Somehow, the government managed to persuade the Liberals and the lone Patient Focus MP to come back to the table.
