With negotiations between the three parties forming Iceland’s new government concluded, there are changes at the various ministries – including at Industry and Innovation, which has the Fisheries and Agriculture brief.
Outgoing Minister of Fisheries Kristján Thór Júlíusson had already signalled his intention to stand down and did not seek re-election this year. His place is taken by Svandís Svavarsdóttir, who comes from having been Minister for Health since 2017.
Unusually, she comes from the Left-Green party to a Ministerial post that has traditionally been held by the Independence Party.
According to a statement by the Ministry, the new government’s policies focus strongly on the ambitious aim of increasing the proportion of healthy, nutritious foodstuffs in domestic production, while also highlighting the importance of the seafood industry taking the right green steps, as well as forming a comprehensive set of policies around the development of the aquaculture sector.
“Food production, agriculture and fisheries have deep roots in our society and there is scope for significant progress in terms of innovation and development, as well as in environmental matters,’ Svandís Svavarsdóttir said.
“There’s interesting and exciting work ahead, and now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and take on the challenges we are facing.”
