An English daily newspaper wrote to Norebo with yet another provocative inquiry, which was allegedly needed for an article about the Russian fishing industry. However, the nature of questions asked make it apparent the inquiry is in pursuit of defamation and political agenda.
Our response is below the inquiry.
QUOTE
От: Cahal Milmo <Cahal.Milmo@theipaper.com>
Отправлено: 11 марта 2025 г. 17:53
Кому: media@norebo.ru <media@norebo.com>
Тема: White fish sales to the UK
Good afternoon,
I'm a journalist at The i Paper, a daily newspaper in London.
I am writing an article about the Russian fishing industry and how it is adapting in the current circumstances of poor relations with the West.
It is of course completely legal for Russian-origin fish to continue to be sold in the UK and the European Union, subject to the relevant tariffs and regulations.
However, I note that Norebo has said that its direct presence in the UK has now ceased - https://glacialis.com/news/
I would like to ask:
:: Does Norebo fish continue to reach the UK market, either directly or via third countries such as the Netherlands or China? Can you say what quantity of fish you have supplied to the UK, either directly or indirectly, in the last two years?
:: Has the UK's 35 per cent tariff on Russian fish resulted in reduced sales to the UK for Norebo?
:: How does the company respond to criticism that its sales in Europe generate tax income for the Russian state which is in turn used to fund the special military operation in Ukraine? It is argued that consequently European and UK consumers should be boycotting Russian-origin fish.
:: Finally, does Norebo continue to reject allegations from the special services in Belgium and the Netherlands that its vessels are used by the Russian state for espionage purposes?
I would be grateful for your response by Wednesday evening.
Kind regards,
Cahal Milmo
Cahal Milmo
Chief reporter
2 Derry St
London
W8 5TT
Mobile: 07968 120261
Office: 0207 361 5690
@cahalmilmo
UNQUOTE
NOREBO’s Response
Dear Mr. Milmo,
Thank you for your interest.
We frequently receive requests like yours. Unfortunately, not all medias take satisfaction in the answers they get, and resort to edit our message into what they deem is a “suitable” for their readers. Please take note we have published our answer below on our website, to keep it undistorted.
With regards to your questions:
Norebo is a modern seafood company, with a wide international outreach. We work only with ethical and professional partners, and aim to supply end-consumers with top quality seafood at affordable price; in a sustainable manner for the world oceans.
Norebo follows a strict compliance policy both with regards to its own operations as well as to the behaviour of our partners worldwide. We obey international laws and regulations, and expect the same from our partners.
We are of the belief that every human being shall have access to a healthy, affordable and high-quality food product. The United Kingdom has a great tradition and long-standing culture of consuming wild seafood, and we respect its sovereign people in making their own food choices.
The introduction of tariffs is subject to the sovereignty of countries. We are non-political and do not pretend to know the motivation to impose such tariffs. However, the introduction of tariffs appears to be "en vogue" in today's world. We do not see ourselves entitled to judge about the usefulness of such tariffs.
Norebo has always, and shall in the future obey national and international laws and regulations. We take note that with OECD’s recent BEPS initiatives, tax is increasingly a global affair; where organisations do carry a global social, environmental and economic responsibility. This will likely only grow. To achieve prosperity in a interconnected world, people need to come together.
We continue to reject allegations from any medias related to "special services", or likewise. These are false allegations aimed at defamation and to promote a political agenda. See our previous comments on this:
https://norebo.ru/news/v-norebo-obratilis-iz-pointer,
https://norebo.ru/news/press-statement and
https://norebo.ru/news/release-of-silver-dania-1.
Norebo remains a non-political and independent commercial organisation that with the purpose is to provide nutritious and sustainable seafood to its customers, and contribute to ecological fishing-practices that will promote healthy marine wildlife for future generations.
