On Wednesday morning, it became known that the government is introducing what is called ground rent tax on aquaculture and wind power. The word basic rent tax may sound a bit complicated, but really just means that you pay an extra tax because you use our common natural resources. Both the petroleum industry and the hydropower industry are covered by such a tax today. The introduction of ground rent tax on aquaculture has long been feared by the salmon industry. A public inquiry in 2019 concluded that our tax system was not adapted to the high profitability of the aquaculture industry. The majority were in favor of tax The majority in the report pointed out that the reason why the industry was so profitable was that they have relatively cheap access to our common natural resource the sea – and that the community was not paid well enough for it. No one in their wildest imagination predicted how incredibly profitable this industry would become. It has also led to individuals being able to build up large private fortunes. However, the investigation was shelved by the Solberg government. Until now. And the timing for Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum is far from accidental. It is almost perfect. Have used the autumn to prepare It may seem as if they have been preparing the ground for this all autumn. Vedum has repeatedly been very clear in recent months that these are challenging times. The coming state budget next week is going to be very tight. Vedum has waved the interest card, saying that if you continue to solve all coverage needs with more oil money use, it will only put even more pressure on the Norwegian economy – and the interest rate can be set even higher. Found the money In mid-September, Vedum invited news to his office to explain why this year’s budget process is completely unlike any other he has been involved in during his long career in national politics. The conversation was about “tough priorities”, “safe management” and “tight reins”. – We will be missing a couple of tens of billions before we start, he said of the budget. And lo and behold, he found them. To be absolutely precise; 33 billion in increased income through the introduction of ground rent tax from 1 January. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre at today’s press conference in Åmot. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB The communication in advance prepares for the decisive smash: – In many cases, many have received more, and they must contribute more to the splice team. The community gets bigger tasks and needs new income. I want to emphasize that we are in an enormously demanding time, said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) at Wednesday’s press conference. Great understanding of the crisis The understanding of the crisis has sunk in among the Norwegian population. The fact that we now “need the money badly” to be able to finance the welfare state of the future makes sense. A larger part of the population probably agrees that action must be taken, in line with what the professionals recommended in 2019. The aquaculture industry obviously does not agree. Managing director at Wenberg Fish Farming, Ørjan Wenberg, tells news, among other things, that: – This puts thousands of jobs along the coast at risk and creates great uncertainty in the industry. Less competitive The industry itself has constantly pointed out that a basic rent tax will make them less competitive. Large parts of the industry may flag out – i.e. move their business and workplaces abroad. In that case, in the long term, it will result in less value creation and also less tax revenue for Norway. The industry itself also points out that they are responsible for the vast majority themselves, namely the fish, the feed and the equipment – and that it is not the cheap use of the sea that is the main reason why they make so much money. It took a real crisis for the government to dare to put it on the table. There will be many strong reactions from both power municipalities, salmon municipalities and not least the industry itself. The strong negative reactions on Oslo Børs speak for themselves; this is going to shave profits sharply for many companies.
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Vedum has spent a long time putting together this smash – Expression
