June 12, 2013
Norway requests to raise toxin level in salmon feed
Norwegian authorities have lobbied in the EU to allow more toxin level in salmon, following debate on the danger of eating farmed salmon due to the high level of harmful pollutants.
According to report, Norway has, for years, tried to get the EU to allow ten times higher level of endosulfan toxin in salmon than previously allowed.Currently, the countryhas received approval in the EU.A consultation document from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) shows that there are economic reasonsfor Norway to raise the limit.
"The limit value for the concentration of endosulfan in feed for salmonids is of great economic importance for the aquaculture industry in the short and longer term," the letter stated.
Endosulfan was previouslybannedfrom use in feed for all salmonids. However,research has shown that fish can withstand poison through better feed thanexposurein water.
Opposition parties have criticised fisheries minister fornot dealing with the issueseriously. Many fearthat the debateon potential hazards ofconsuming farmed salmon create negative consequences for Norwegian salmon export.