Following Food Minister Svandis Svavarsdottir’s medical leave due to her breast cancer diagnosis, Iceland’s Prime Minister, Katrin Jakobsdottir, has assumed temporary responsibility for overseeing the nation’s aquaculture industry and fishing-related matters.
Jakobsdottir has pledged to prioritize essential tasks during this interim period, ensuring effective management of these responsibilities until further notice. However, she clarified that no new strategies would be introduced during her temporary leadership.
The announcement of Minister Svavarsdottir’s health condition has sparked widespread sympathy, leading the People’s Party to withdraw a motion of no confidence against her. The news of her illness was met with shock, accompanied by well-wishes for her swift recovery.
During Svavarsdottir’s absence, various issues under her jurisdiction, including the contentious decision to temporarily ban whaling last year, have come under scrutiny. Notably, the salmon farming sector has become a focal point of political debate, with criticism directed at the Minister’s reform proposals by the seafood industry’s employer organization, SFS.
The government’s aquaculture reform bill, spearheaded by Minister Svavarsdottir, has attracted significant public attention, with over 300 comments submitted for consideration. While some stakeholders advocate for a complete ban on open fjord fish farming, SFS has expressed concerns over the bill’s perceived regulatory burdens and the potential expansion of the Minister’s powers.
