– I cannot support an organization that works against Norwegian agriculture. This is what Agriculture Minister Sandra Borch (Sp) says to news. When proposals for the state budget were presented last Thursday, it was written in black and white: The animal protection organization NOAH will lose state support. Earlier, Sandra Borch said she would “prioritize member organisations” in the tight budget year 2023. NOAH has 17,000 members. Siri Martinsen (NOAH) met Agriculture Minister Sandra Borch (Sp) in tonight’s Debate on news. Photo: Terje Pedersen/Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / NTB/news Faculty leader in Noah, Siri Martinsen, refers to the cut as “directly unworthy”. Sandra Borch refers to it as a political priority. It is in the debates about predators and meat production in agriculture that NOAH and SP stand most strongly against each other. – Dangerous signal Martinsen believes the Center Party is using the support scheme as a weapon. – What they have done is to use the scheme in an attempt to weaken and gag their sharpest critic. This sends a dangerous signal, according to the NOAH leader. Head of NOAH, Siri Martinsen. Photo: Emma-Marie B. Whittaker / news – This shows that if you don’t keep up with those in power, you can lose support. Martinsen believes Sp is using the cut as a tool to target a dissenter. – You can see that this is how it looks?, asks Solvang’s Sandra Borch. – No, I don’t really do that, to be completely honest. It is a bone-chilling budget this year, Borch replies. Martinsen also mentions that NOAH is in legal proceedings against the government in connection with the killing of wolves. In the previous state budget, NOK 730,000 was set aside for the organisation. Cows in the pasture. Illustration photo. Photo: Carina Johansen / NTB No rights with state support Agriculture Minister Borch says that she is concerned that the organizations that receive support from the state should support Norwegian agriculture and Norwegian food production. – Livestock farming is a mainstay in Norwegian food production and in Norwegian agriculture. There is also no right to have an item on the national budget, adds Borch. Martinsen believes it is objectionable that the Minister of Agriculture defines food production as meat production. – It is shocking that she believes the purpose of the Ministry of Agriculture is to support a specific industry, namely the meat industry. The purpose should be sustainable agriculture. Minister of Agriculture and Food Sandra Borch (Sp). Photo: Emma-Marie B. Whittaker / news Borch adds that she has had to cut 7.5 million in her ministry. – Promoting Norwegian food production, I believe NOAH does not do that. At the same time, she says that she is concerned that the government should support organizations that support animal welfare. Thinks NOAH does not meet requirements Sandra Borch also says that NOAH does not meet the purpose of the scheme. – NOAH is set to zero because they do not fulfill the purpose of the support scheme. I notice that NOAH thinks this is an act of revenge on my part and that of the Center Party, but it is not. The Ministry of Agriculture summarizes the purpose as follows: “The grant shall cover support for organizations at national level that work within the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s target area”. It will include organizations that: Disseminate knowledge and promote understanding of the value of agriculture, food production and food culture Make visible the job opportunities linked to the farm’s resources Promote sustainable agriculture, value creation and agricultural-based business development In this year’s budget proposal, there are still 800 organizations that receive state support. NOAH is one of a hundred who have lost their support. 28 million in the bank After the news became known, several hundred thousand kroner have been collected for NOAH. The organization has a turnover of NOK 24 million and bank deposits of NOK 28 million. – Do you need the money then? – Yes. Then you can also ask yourself whether the other organizations need the money, and there too the answer is yes.
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– We cannot support NOAH – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
