Post by Ismail AbdulAzeez on Mar 14, 2021 13:34:37 GMT 1
Norwegian Seafood Council Kicks Against CBN’s Inclusion Of Stockfish In Banned Importation List
The Norwegian Seafood Council has protested to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the inclusion of Stockfish in the list of items banned from importation into the country.
They also warned of the implication of this ban on the bilateral trade agreement between both countries.
The council urged the Apex Bank to reconsider its decision due to the grave implication it will have on the dwindling protein requirements of Nigerians and also on the bilateral trade relationship between Nigeria and Norway.
The council reminded the authorities that Stockfish is not found in Nigerian waters and therefore could not be affecting the local content policy of the Federal Government.
Speaking at a two-day seafood seminar held in Lagos Nigeria, the current Minister of Fisheries and Seafood , Norway, Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen, said despite the popularity of Stockfish in Nigeria, it does not pose threat to the encouragement of local production of fish in Nigeria as the imported volume is relatively low.
The Minister also argued that the importation of Stockfish does not involve a lot of foreign exchange compared to other items on the banned items list.
He also explained that Stockfish and Stockfish heads are unique products produced in a unique environment in Norway in order to give it the very special and sought-after taste.
“We urge the Nigerian Government to reconsider its policy in order to boost the bilateral trade between the two countries”, he said.
The Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Knut Eiliu Lein said that since stockfish was first imported into the country in the 1890s , it has remained an important cuisine in Nigeria, and then wondered why allow such policy to deny its citizens such an important part of their protein requirements.
He also argued “Let me say here that stockfish heads are currently more or less the most affordable fish proteins for the majority of Nigerians in the low-income bracket”.
The Ambassador also said that many livelihoods including that of men and women depend on the sales of stockfish in all Nigerian markets.
“I understand that the Nigerian Government should protect the growing fish industry, but while building the domestic capacity, the government should also focus on removing challenges on trade that benefit the Norwegians and Nigerians”.
Also speaking during the occasion, the Chairman, 1st Premier Stockfish Importers Association, Mr. Ilobinso Gregory said that considering that the stockfish needed in the country cannot be grown and processed locally in Nigeria, there is a need to sustain its import.
The Chairman argued that rather than ban stockfish, the government should reduce the import duty to 10%, which will also lead to reduction in the cost of the product to the final consumer.
From the foregoing, both parties have valid arguments; the Nigerian government is highly interested in growing the local fish industry while the Norwegian government is trying to protect its own local fish industry that it claims to have been supplying the Nigerian market since the 1890s.
However, the Norwegian team is claiming that stockfish and stockfish heads are one of the major sources of cheap protein in Nigeria for the low-income group.
But one thing that interests me here is the speed and seriousness with which the Norwegian officials came out to protest for just one of their industries, I do hope that our own officials can emulate this, it happens all over the world.
No matter the merit or demerit of the arguments presented by the Norwegian officials, they have to be commended for their prompt action in coming to protect their economy; they know the implication it will have on the economy of the Nation and that of the stockfish companies.
No matter what their arguments are, this forum is of the opinion that the Federal Government of Nigeria must take all steps necessary to protect this economy even if it affects one or more industries; though not at the detriment of the protein requirements of the citizens.
We know that it is equally important to consider bilateral trade relations between countries but our own survival must be of utmost importance to our decision makers and leaders.
The Norwegian Seafood Council has protested to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the inclusion of Stockfish in the list of items banned from importation into the country.
They also warned of the implication of this ban on the bilateral trade agreement between both countries.
The council urged the Apex Bank to reconsider its decision due to the grave implication it will have on the dwindling protein requirements of Nigerians and also on the bilateral trade relationship between Nigeria and Norway.
The council reminded the authorities that Stockfish is not found in Nigerian waters and therefore could not be affecting the local content policy of the Federal Government.
Speaking at a two-day seafood seminar held in Lagos Nigeria, the current Minister of Fisheries and Seafood , Norway, Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen, said despite the popularity of Stockfish in Nigeria, it does not pose threat to the encouragement of local production of fish in Nigeria as the imported volume is relatively low.
The Minister also argued that the importation of Stockfish does not involve a lot of foreign exchange compared to other items on the banned items list.
He also explained that Stockfish and Stockfish heads are unique products produced in a unique environment in Norway in order to give it the very special and sought-after taste.
“We urge the Nigerian Government to reconsider its policy in order to boost the bilateral trade between the two countries”, he said.
The Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Knut Eiliu Lein said that since stockfish was first imported into the country in the 1890s , it has remained an important cuisine in Nigeria, and then wondered why allow such policy to deny its citizens such an important part of their protein requirements.
He also argued “Let me say here that stockfish heads are currently more or less the most affordable fish proteins for the majority of Nigerians in the low-income bracket”.
The Ambassador also said that many livelihoods including that of men and women depend on the sales of stockfish in all Nigerian markets.
“I understand that the Nigerian Government should protect the growing fish industry, but while building the domestic capacity, the government should also focus on removing challenges on trade that benefit the Norwegians and Nigerians”.
Also speaking during the occasion, the Chairman, 1st Premier Stockfish Importers Association, Mr. Ilobinso Gregory said that considering that the stockfish needed in the country cannot be grown and processed locally in Nigeria, there is a need to sustain its import.
The Chairman argued that rather than ban stockfish, the government should reduce the import duty to 10%, which will also lead to reduction in the cost of the product to the final consumer.
From the foregoing, both parties have valid arguments; the Nigerian government is highly interested in growing the local fish industry while the Norwegian government is trying to protect its own local fish industry that it claims to have been supplying the Nigerian market since the 1890s.
However, the Norwegian team is claiming that stockfish and stockfish heads are one of the major sources of cheap protein in Nigeria for the low-income group.
But one thing that interests me here is the speed and seriousness with which the Norwegian officials came out to protest for just one of their industries, I do hope that our own officials can emulate this, it happens all over the world.
No matter the merit or demerit of the arguments presented by the Norwegian officials, they have to be commended for their prompt action in coming to protect their economy; they know the implication it will have on the economy of the Nation and that of the stockfish companies.
No matter what their arguments are, this forum is of the opinion that the Federal Government of Nigeria must take all steps necessary to protect this economy even if it affects one or more industries; though not at the detriment of the protein requirements of the citizens.
We know that it is equally important to consider bilateral trade relations between countries but our own survival must be of utmost importance to our decision makers and leaders.