It is exactly 30 years since Norway said no to EU membership. But since then, several people have changed their minds. Now several young people believe that they too must be given a break, in the form of a new vote. Future farmers Next year, Mattis Høie Minge will take over the farm in Indre Østfold. – Norwegian EU membership will weaken agriculture, says he, who is also group leader in Østfold Senterparti. He is clear in his speech: – The EU’s agricultural policy would mean the hook on the barn door. Mattis Høie Minge is a nobleman and an opponent of Norwegian EU membership. Photo: Hanna Karin Johre / Hanna Karin Johre / news Katinka Kolaas Ekmann will also take over the farm. It is located in Malm outside Steinkjer in Trøndelag. She thinks the opposite of nobleman Minge: – Norwegian agriculture needs the EU. She also sits on the board of the Conservative Student Association. – The EU has good support schemes for small and medium-sized businesses. The two are thus completely at odds in how EU membership will affect agriculture. Yesterday they met in the Debate. You can watch the broadcast here. Katinka Kolaas Ekmann is an odel girl and says yes to Norwegian EU membership. Photo: Hanna Karin Johre / Hanna Karin Johre / news Not interested in volunteering Odelsguten fears that membership in the EU will mean less payment for the grain. – It will clearly weaken the operating basis and the possibility of investing in the farm for generations to come. Odelsjenta Ekmann, for her part, believes that EU membership can lead to a stable and predictable economy. – I want to operate with surplus and contribute to value creation in the local community. It is important to me, as a future farmer, that the financial framework is predictable. She claims: – I and many of my generation are not interested in running a farm on a voluntary basis anymore. I want to run a business with a profit. Disagreement about support Ekmann believes the annual agricultural settlement is not good enough. – The EU at least has an agricultural policy that spans several years, and sends a clear signal that they place a greater emphasis on climate challenges, animal welfare and self-sufficiency in the security policy situation we are in. Odelsguten, for his part, believes that support for farmers will significantly less in the EU. – Support to farmers is only one third through the EU compared to the Norwegian agricultural agreement. Many Norwegian farmers will struggle mightily in a Norwegian EU membership. Norway and the EU Norway has twice said no to EU membership after referenda. Norway’s relationship with the EU is now regulated through the EEA Agreement. It gives Norwegians the same rights as EU citizens when it comes to trade, work, studies and housing rights. Minge is also worried that Norwegian grain farmers will be outcompeted by other countries, which can produce grain at far lower costs than in Norway due to geography and climate. Finally, he points to self-sufficiency. – If a crisis should arise, we cannot expect other countries to sell their food to Norway when they probably need it themselves. Has changed his mind Among those who have changed his mind is former Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik from KrF. He said no in the vote 30 years ago. – We live in an uncertain world. The geopolitical situation has changed radically since 1994. He believes that Europe must come together and stand stronger, and that Norway must be involved. – Now we have a much more powerful China, an aggressive Russia and then we have a more nationalistic USA, especially now with Donald Trump as president. Former Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has reversed the issue of Norwegian EU membership. Photo: Hanna Karin Johre / Hanna Karin Johre / news He met Bjørnar Moxnes, parliamentary representative for Raudt. He is not in favor of Norwegian EU membership. – I agree with many of the problems Bondevik describes, but not the solutions. Entering a union and putting us under the EU and thus giving them control over Norway is not, I think, the answer to a troubled world. Bondevik was clear in his answer: – I think security will be greater if we are part of what is now clearly the most important organization in Europe, which ensures that Europe is not squeezed between China, Russia and the USA. Norway has been left out for 30 years. But is the EU today the same as we said no to in 1994? Published 29.11.2024, at 08.04
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Rival disagreements about the EU – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
