EU has limited reach in salmon cartel investigations

While the arm of the law is long, European Commission (EC) investigators are limited in how far their investigation into a suspected salmon cartel can reach, according to an official with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Surveillance Authority (ESA).

In late February, EC officers raided the offices of salmon companies Mowi, Leroy, and Grieg Seafood in Scotland and other EU member states following allegations of anti-competitive practices.

Although Norway is part of the European Economic Area (EEA), which is fully in line with EU regulations in terms of competition, the European Commission has to request assistance from the ESA to inspect companies in EEA countries such as Norway and Iceland on its behalf, ESA Director of Competition and State Aid Gjermund Mathisen told IntraFish.