Icelandic Government Announce New Fisheries Minister
April 17, 2024
Bjarkey Olsen Gunnarsdóttir MP was announced last week by the Icelandic Government as the new Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries.
The Minister was given a Made Great In Grimsby welcome in Reykjavik by Pétur Björnsson and Simon Dwyer, both Directors of Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises Limited, at a reception held at the British Embassy in the Capital.
The new Minister was welcomed by the British Ambassador, Dr Bryony Matthew, who emphasised the strong trade links between Iceland and the Grimsby seafood cluster. Each week Iceland catching vessels export predominantly cod and haddock to many Grimsby seafood importers including, businesses that sell their fish on the Grimsby fish market auction.
Along with meeting the Minister, discussions took place with the Iceland Fisheries organisation and the Iceland Food and Veterinary Authority discussing many trade related matters including the UK's new Border Target Operating Model and the import of new fish species.
Simon Dwyer commented "Iceland is a key supplier of fish to Grimsby with many small and micro fresh fish processors relying on daily supplies of cod and haddock, much of which is then sold to fish & chip shops and other food service outlets throughout the UK. The Minister has only been in the role for less than a week but, it was important to meet and emphasis the long-standing trading relationship. We extended an invitation to the Minister to visit Grimsby soon"
Further meetings are also expected later this year in Reykjavik when a delegation of Grimsby seafood businesses visit the 14th Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition.