The European Commission on Tuesday said investigations into collusion in the farmed Atlantic salmon sector extend to multiple countries.

A statement released from the EC said "several Member States at the premises of several companies" were raided unannounced on the morning of Feb. 19, but declined to tell IntraFish the names of the companies, the names of the member states, or the total number of member states involved.

"'Several' means more than one," a spokesperson told IntraFish.

The statement said EC authorities have "concerns that the inspected companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices."