Proposed Merger of Norwegian Food Agencies Simplifies Services
A draft bill commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs has been put forward for consultation. It proposes merging the Norwegian Food Agency, the Norwegian Fisheries Agency, and the Exchange Price Agency into a single body — a move intended to cut down on bureaucratic back-and-forth for businesses and make processes easier to follow. The result would be a single organisation with offices across the country.
Food inspection services, which currently sit with local health inspectorates, would also be folded into the new agency under the proposal.
New Organization Set to Launch in 2027
The Ministry of Economic Affairs says the merger draws on a recent feasibility analysis that found real room for better integration and collaboration, and pointed to gaps in administrative and professional support for the inspectorate. The Exchange Price Office would join the new body but is expected to keep a high degree of independence in its day-to-day work.
The bill also responds to recommendations from the EFTA Surveillance Authority, which called for stronger public oversight in line with EEA rules. If passed, the new organisation is set to come into being on January 1, 2027.
Amendments to Norwegian Marine Research Institute Act Also Proposed
Separately, the Ministry of Industry has sent out a bill amending the Norwegian Marine Research Institute Act for consultation. The proposed changes are meant to sharpen and reinforce the legal framework around the institute’s work so it can better carry out its responsibilities under current legislation.
The push for the amendment comes partly from concerns raised about the institute’s operations and management — issues flagged in both the ministry’s own assessments and a report from the National Audit Office.
