Iceland’s Minister of Fisheries Kristján Thór Júlíusson has confirmed alterations to regulations which license the use of all fish and aquaculture products for the production of fishmeal and fish oil for human consumption, subject to requirements for raw material to meet food quality standards.
Until now it has not been considered that certain parts of fish or fish products are suitable for such production, but these changes in the regulations now licence this, allowing full utilisation of such raw material in production of fishmeal and fish oil, with the intention of increasing the competitive standing of Icelandic producers.
Similar regulation is in place in Norway.
“The significant progress in full utilisation of marine raw materials is one of the strengths of the Icelandic seafood sector,” said Fisheries Minister Kristján Thór Júlíusson.
“Eighteen months ago I was informed that the regulations here concerning this production was for some reason stricter that in, for example, Norway. I commissioned work on this within the Ministry and the result is these changes. This is a source of particular satisfaction as this enables Icelandic companies to make full use of these raw materials.”
