All applications for pig slaughtering were deferred earlier today at the meeting of the Icelandic Veterinary Association’s (IVA) strike-exemption committee. The applications will be reevaluated tomorrow and their outcome is expected to be largely dependent on the results of today’s negotiations between the government and the IVA, Vísir reports.
Members of the IVA have been on strike since April 20, as part of a combined effort among the 17 member unions of the Icelandic Association of Academics (BHM). On May 7 an agreement was reached between pig farmers and the association, whereby exceptions can be granted on the condition that the meat will not be marketed until the strike concludes.
Last week Síld og fiskur ehf. reported the IVA to the Icelandic Competition Authority, on the basis that their conditions for granting exemptions to slaughterhouses not only threaten animal welfare, but jeopardize competition on the domestic market and force producers to violate anti-cartel laws. Síld og fiskur ehf. is the sole remaining pig farmer that has not signed on to the agreement, according to dv.is.
This morning the company requested official permission from the Competition Authority to collude with other pig farmers on the conditions of the agreement. Managing director, Gunnar Þór Gíslasson, says that Síld og fiskur ehf. will await the authority’s ruling on the matter before deciding whether to accept to the terms.
“It’s certainly disappointing that the committee did not process our request, but hopefully the response will be positive when the review ultimately takes place,” said Gunnar to Vísir.
