In addition to the ground rent tax, they increase the tax rate for hydropower and introduce an extraordinary tax on hydro and wind power due to the very high electricity prices. In this way, the government will increase tax revenue by around NOK 33 billion annually. This was announced by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum at a press conference on Wednesday morning. The government’s tax package for the farming and energy industries led to a sharp fall on the Oslo Stock Exchange after opening on Wednesday. The breeding companies are plummeting. Grieg Seafood and Lerøy Seadood both fell by more than 14 per cent and Mowi by almost 11 per cent. Trading in Salmar was stopped automatically, reports E24. Seafood Norway reacts strongly to the new salmon tax. – This is to turn off the lights along the coast. There will be a setback to investments around the coastal districts. None of our competitors have such taxation. A gift package for other countries that are allowed to take over the leadership jersey in what was supposed to be a statement of the future for Norway, says managing director Geir Ove Ystmark in Sjømat Norge. Extremely highly taxed, Ellingsen Seafood has an annual production of just under 15 thousand tonnes. In other words, a large producer, who will be affected by the new tax. A floor deduction will be introduced, but this will only affect the companies that produce far less than Ellingsen Seafood. The general manager, Line Ellingsen, says they will be hit hard. – We are a hundred percent family-owned company. We have been in the industry for a long time and have bought licenses as they have come up for sale. But we have not bought in recent years, she explains and adds: The aquaculture industry accounts for thousands of jobs. Actors fear the ground rent tax may go beyond these. Photo: Mowi – Ergo, we will also be hit hard by the changed valuation. They haven’t had time to calculate how much it will mean for them in terms of tax percentage. – I see Mowi says that they are talking about 62 percent. There is no doubt that we are taxed extremely high. – This is a sad day for the coast. Simply. Bremnes Seashore in Bømlo is one of Norway’s largest private salmon companies. Last year, the company had a profit before tax of NOK 163 million. The company’s development manager, Simon Nesse Økland, reacts strongly to the new ground rent tax. – This is a sad day for the salmon industry. Growth can come to a halt – This puts thousands of jobs along the coast at risk and creates great uncertainty in the industry. That’s what general manager at Wenberg Fish Farming Ørjan Wenberg says to news. Wenberg says he expected this message to arrive. This despite the fact that there has been opposition from the industry, including that young leaders in the industry met Vedum on Tuesday to explain how this could affect them. – The development we wanted in terms of growth and the environment is now being stopped. New investments are being put on hold, Wenberg acknowledges. He believes that the jobs that eventually disappear from Norway will pop up elsewhere. – An illusion has been created that a lot of value has been extracted from the industry, but what is true is that the money has been reinvested along the coast. He adds: – This is a strange situation. – Sad One of the companies that met Vedum on Tuesday was Brødrene Karlsen. Managing director, Rita Karlsen, tells news that this is sad news. – You can safely call it that. This is draining the businesses in the districts with all these new taxation they are imposing, she says. She believes there would be little light in the streets in the districts if it were not for the aquaculture industry. Can destroy the districts: Rita Karlsen says the taxation the aquaculture industry is exposed to can slow down work in the districts. Photo: Pål Hansen/news – Instead of using the values to create housing, growth, well-being and jobs, it must go to the state. – I think that is sad. Kjell Lorentsen in Gigante Havbruk gives news two short comments. – We pay our tax with pleasure. But: – It is not required by law that we should engage in farming. NHO: – A dramatic move NHO director Ole Erik Almlid believes the government’s move is devastating for Norwegian industry. – It is dramatic that the government is introducing such major tax changes. What Norwegian companies need now is predictability. Instead, the government is introducing an upheaval of around NOK 33 billion, which comes on top of already high taxes for business, says Almlid. He believes that the new taxes exceed the ability to invest in important industries for Norway. Among other things, he fears that the taxes may exceed the willingness to invest in new renewable energy production. – And this is happening at a time when we need more such investments, says Almlid. Furthermore, he believes that the new taxes are devastating for the districts. – The farming industry is an important district industry that already has significant tax expenses. Undermining them now affects Norwegian local communities and value creation, says Almlid. – The world around us is heading into an economic setback, and the Norwegian economy is about to slow down sharply. We are on our way out of the corona crisis and in the middle of a time of war, increased commodity prices, extreme electricity prices and increased interest rates. Then additional taxes and fees for private owners and businesses are the wrong medicine. Ole Erik Almlid in NHO believes that new taxes on farming and power companies are the wrong medicine in an economically demanding time for Norway. Photo: Ksenia Novikova / news
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– Puts thousands of jobs at risk – news Nordland
