Brussels, 21/02/2006 (Agence Europe) - With no amicable agreement with the European Commission forthcoming, Norway decided on 20 February to go to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to lodge a complaint against the EU over the question of salmon. European Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson said that they did not know why Norway had decided on going down this road. On the issue of the anti-dumping fight, last January the EU decided to keep a minimum price of EUR 2.80 Kg for imports in the EU for fish farmed salmon from Norway, which is suspected at being sold at a loss (EUROPE 9111). This minimum price should apply to fresh and frozen fish over a five year period. Norway is demanding that this minimum price be lifted. The Commission stated that the decision of going to the WTO was a surprise, particularly with regard to the question of antidumping, which consisted of imposing minimum prices and that the price was well below world market prices. Norwegian salmon producers reject all allegations of dumping and consider that the EU measures aim to protect their Scottish and Irish competitors. Norway is one of the main salmon producers in the world, alongside Chile, and has threatened to go to the WTO on several occasions. The EU imports roughly 60% of Norwegian salmon exports.