Category: News

Búnaðarþing was set up at a solemn ceremony in Bændahöllinn today. Addresses were given by Haraldur Benediktsson, chairman of BÍ, Jón Bjarnason, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Brita Skallerud, one of the two vice-chairmen of the Norwegian farmers' association Norges bondelag, and Sjöfn Sigurgísladóttir, director of Matís.

An agricultural prize was also awarded, which the residents of the farms Hraun á Skaga and Grænhóll in Ölfus received this time. The folk band of the Music School in Akranes came and won with lively violin tones.

Capacent poll results:
The future of Icelandic agriculture affects people's attitudes towards Iceland's membership of the European Union, with 55.9% Icelanders opposing the country's accession to the European Union and 33.3% in favor of membership. 60% Icelanders say they have no or little trust in the government when it comes to protecting the nation's interests in the application process for Iceland's membership of the European Union. This was stated in a speech by Haraldur Benediktsson, chairman of the Farmers' Association of Iceland, at the inauguration of Búnaðarþing 2010 earlier today, and the title of Búnaðarþing is "Aftur kemur vor í dal".

In his speech, Haraldur presented the results of a recent survey that Capacent conducted for the Farmers' Association. There were five questions in Capacent's questionnaire. The results of the survey underline the importance of Icelandic agriculture and the negative attitude towards Icelanders' membership of the European Union.

The main results of the survey are:

• 95.7% respondents believe that it is very important that agriculture is practiced in this country in the future.
• 84.3% believe that it is very important that Icelanders are not dependent on others for agricultural products.
• 55.9% respondents oppose Iceland's membership of the European Union, 33.3% are in favor of Iceland's membership of the European Union and 10.8% are undecided.
• 62.8% say that the future of Icelandic agriculture has a large or some effect on its position on Iceland's membership of the European Union.
• 57.9% respondents say they trust the Icelandic government poorly or not at all to protect the nation's interests in the application process for Iceland's membership of the European Union, only 26.8% say they trust the government well or in full.

Recently, the results of a study published by Matís et al. was carried out and was carried out in order to shed light on the protein needs of Atlantic cod so that its growth would be as great as possible.

In addition, a lecture was given on the same subject at the XIII International Symposium on Fish Nutrition and Feeding which was held in Florianópolis, Brazil recently. There were 7 invitational lectures and in addition, 81 lectures were selected for presentation, which were submitted on a self-selected topic. One of these lectures was the aforementioned lecture entitled "Protein requirements of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua L"Held by Matís employee, Jón Árnason.

On Friday 19 February 2010, a doctoral defense took place at Lund University, Sweden. Kristín Anna Þórarinsdóttir, director of Matís' doctoral dissertation, also defended "The influence of salting procedures on the characteristics of heavy salted cod".

On Friday 19 February 2010, a doctoral defense took place at Lund University, Sweden (Department of Food Technology, Engineering and Nutrition, Faculty of Engineering, LTH). Kristín Anna Þórarinsdóttir, director of Matís' doctoral dissertation, also defended "The influence of salting procedures on the characteristics of heavy salted cod". The project was mostly carried out at Matís ohf. 

The opponent was
KristinLauritzsen, Development Manager Norwegian Seafood Companies Landförening, Trondheim, Norway.

The evaluation committee appointed
Professor Erik Slinde, Institute of Marine Research, Nordnes, Bergen, Norway
Dr. Hörður G. Kristinsson, Matís ohf,
Professor Björg Egelandsdal, University of Environmental and Life Sciences UMB, Ási, Norway

The doctoral committee appointed
Professor Eva Tornberg, Lund University, Sweden
Dr. Sjöfn Sigurgísladóttir, Matís ohf
Sigurjón Arason, Matís ohf, University of Iceland

Abstract of the dissertation
The effect of salted fish has evolved a lot in recent decades, from simple salting to a multi-stage process. The number of steps and the choice of methods vary depending on the manufacturer. In general, the effect begins with pre-salting carried out by spraying and pickling or pickling / brine salting followed by dry salting (position salting). After dry salting, products are packed in appropriate packaging according to product categories and markets. For cooking, products are dehydrated to lower their salt content.     

The aim of this study was to deepen knowledge of the effects of different action processes with regard to water resistance and utilization of salted cod fillets. Changes in utilization, chemical content, protein distortion and muscle building of cod were monitored throughout the process; from raw materials through pre-salting, dry salting, storage and dehydration. 

The utilization of injected products remained higher throughout the process compared to other methods. The utilization of products that were only pickled at the beginning of the action was independent of the brine concentration, except that the effect was noticeable during the pickling itself. However, the effect on quality was negative if the brine concentration exceeded 20%. Phosphate use increased utilization after salting but not after dehydration. The effect of added phosphate on quality was assessed in two experiments but the results did not compare. In general, however, phosphate is believed to have a positive effect on the appearance of products and thus improve quality. The effect of phosphate on utilization compared to injection was insignificant.     

Muscle salinity was generally> 20% after salinization regardless of the mechanism of action. The changes (deformation) of the proteins were therefore large but varied according to the salting methods. The structure of myosin appeared to be less disturbed by salting in injected products. It was thought to be associated with a milder increase in salt concentration at the beginning of salting, which led to a stronger "salting-in" effect than with other methods. 

Changes in connective tissue during salinization also varied according to salinization methods. Intracellularity after salting was higher in products that were injected and pickled compared to products that were only pickled at the beginning of the action. In contrast, the area of cells was comparable. The difference in muscle water resistance and utilization according to mechanisms of action was therefore related to variability in the deformation of both collagen and myosin, but so far the results of previous studies have primarily been interpreted from changes in muscle fiber.    

The loss of dry matter during action was greater in injected and pickled products. This was primarily a "non protein nitrogen" The percentage of protein lost was low and therefore the effect of dry matter loss on the water resistance of the muscle was considered insignificant. The effect was considered to be a variation in the taste and smell of products, due to the nature and properties of "non protein nitrogen" substances, but no comparison was made of these properties in the thesis.

The new doctor, Kristín Anna Þórarinsdóttir was born in 1971, her parents are Þórarinn Snorrason and (Elisabet Charlotte) Johanna Herrmann. Kristín graduated with a BS degree in Food Science from the University of Iceland in 1998 and an M.Sc. degree from the University of Iceland in 2000. Since then she has worked for Matís (www.matis.is).

Kristín is married to Baldvin Valgarðsson and they have two children, Þorfinn Ara and Valgerður Bára.

For further information, please contact Kristín Anna Þórarinsdóttir, kristin.a.thorarinsdottir@matis.is.

The annual Búnaðarþing of the Farmers' Association of Iceland begins on Sunday 28 February and lasts until Wednesday 3 March.

Búnaðarþing will be set with a ceremony on Sunday, but the title of the inauguration ceremony is "Spring is coming to the valley again". This week, there will be traditional parliamentary work, which will include issues related to the government's application to the European Union, land laws, farmers' finances and the structure of their social system.

The inauguration of Búnaðarþing will take place in the Súlnasal of Hótel Saga on Sunday 28 February and starts at 13:30. Haraldur Benediktsson, chairman of the Icelandic Farmers' Association, gives a keynote speech and the Minister of Agriculture, Jón Bjarnason, delivers an address and awards the annual agricultural prize. Sjöfn Sigurgísladóttir, CEO of Matís, will give a keynote speech and the Folk Music Band of the Music School in Akranes will sing. Access is open to all as long as accommodation allows and coffee service is available.

Búnaðarþing will be reported on the bondi.is website when parliamentary proceedings begin. The agenda of the session, speeches, minutes and information on the handling of matters will be published on the website as soon as they are received.

For further information:
Magnús Sigsteinsson, office manager of Búnaðarþing, mobile: 863-3184, e-mail: ms@bondi.is
Haraldur Benediktsson, chairman of the Icelandic Farmers' Association, mobile: 861-7740, e-mail: hb@bondi.is
Eiríkur Blöndal, executive director of the Icelandic Farmers' Association, mobile: 895-6254, e-mail: ebl@bondi.is

In recent months, work has been underway to establish facilities for Matvælamiðstöð Austurlands in Mjólkurstöðin's premises, which was established in the autumn of 2009 and is a joint project of Matís, Þróunarfélag Austurlands, Fljótsdalshérað, Búnaðarfélag Austurlands and Auðhumla.

The idea with Matvælamiðstöðin is to help people with ideas for food production with professional help and facilities. The possibilities are many, you can rent the facilities for production for those who have products but not facilities, you can also get help with facilities for product development. In this way, it is possible to test ideas for production and market a product without spending a lot of money on facilities and obtaining the necessary production licenses. Matvælamiðstöðin has now received an operating license from the East Iceland Health Inspectorate and can therefore take over projects. Two parties have already taken advantage of the facility and are doing well.

Interested parties should contact Hrund at 858 5060 or by sending an e-mail to mma@matis.is. 

More about the Food Center can be found at www.matis.is/um-matis-ohf/starfsstodvar-matis/egilsstadir/

Recently, articles by Matís researchers appeared in the Journal of Sensory Studies.

It is worth mentioning that in the publication of these peer-reviewed scientific journals there are no more or less than three articles by Matís researchers. It can be assumed that it is unique that so many articles come from the same company / institution in one and the same edition of a peer-reviewed professional journal.

For further information, please contact Emilía Martinsdóttir, emilia.martinsdottir@matis.is.

The project Arctic Tilapia, which was funded by the Technology Development Fund, was recently completed and was joined by Matís, Arctic Tilapia hf., Iceprotein hf. of Fisk-Seafood hf. The aim of the project was to develop products that make tilapia whitefish farming in a closed fish farm that utilizes cooling water from a large steam power plant economically in Iceland.

In order for this to happen, market channels for products must be available and secure.

The technical objectives were, firstly, to develop a cooling and storage method for fresh fillets that maintains a light reddish tinge and fresh fillets, and secondly, to develop a processing method for salted products for the Spanish market.

Project manager was Emilía Martinsdóttir, Matís ohf.

The aim of the project was to develop products that make tilapia whitefish farming in a closed fish farm that utilizes cooling water from a large steam power plant economically in Iceland. In order for this to happen, market channels for products must be available and secure.

The technical objectives were, firstly, to develop a cooling and storage method for fresh fillets that maintains a light reddish tinge and fresh fillets, and secondly, to develop a processing method for salted products for the Spanish market. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was raised in a renewable water cycle system and filleted and packed in 100% air and aerated packages for storage at 1˚C and -1˚C. The results of sensory evaluation and microbial counts showed that fillets packed in air had a shelf life of 13-15 days at 1˚C and 20 days at -1˚C. In fillets in aerated packages, the total number of micro-organisms was very small after 27 days of storage at both 1˚C and -1˚C. However, aerobic conditions adversely affected the color of the fillets shortly after packing, but the color of the fillets significantly affected buyers' choices. The best storage conditions for tilapia fillets are packing in air and storage at a constant low temperature of -1 ° C. The effects of injection and pickling on the utilization, shelf life and properties of tilapia fillets were investigated. Three product categories were produced: chilled products, frozen products (with insignificant changes in salt content) and lightly salted, frozen products. Utilization increased during spraying and pickling, there was a significant difference in weight changes in frozen fillets and lightly salted fillets due to differences in the salt content of these two product categories.

Tilapia from Canada and China were used in the first experiments of the project. Tilapiu farming began in Iceland at the beginning of the project period after an assessment had been made of the available stocks, as it is important to have a good breeding stock. A strain grown at North American Tilapia INC. Was selected. (NATI) in Canada. The experimental station was commissioned on 15 May 2008 when the juveniles arrived in Iceland. The juveniles had reached slaughter size in November 2008 and the fish was used for experiments after that. The results that the storage capacity could be achieved for up to 20 days at a consistently low temperature during storage and that there was no significant change in the red color on the carcass during filleting during that period give the possibility to ship the product as fresh, refrigerated fillets by ship to the European market. also to USA. In parallel with this research project, a great deal of work has been put into feasibility studies and work on business plans and communication with potential investors and partners in the marketing field. The business plan is being finalized.

List of project results, as well as reports, articles and manuscripts.
Experimental Report 1 - Tilapia fillets protein injection Cyprian Ogombe-September 2008

Experimental Report 2 - Preliminary shelf life studies of iced Canadian tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Cyprian Ogombe - August 2008

Graduate student in food science at the University of Iceland Cyprian Ogombe Odoli from Kenya, a former student at the United Nations Fisheries Academy (UNU), graduated in June 2009. Master's thesis: Optimal storage conditions for fresh farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fillets.

Poster at the TAFT 2009 conference in Copenhagen. 3rd Joint Trans-Atlantic Fisheries Technology Conference Copenhagen, 15-18 September 2009 -  "Arctic" tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Optimal storage and transport conditions for fillets. Emilía Martinsdóttir, Cyprian Ogombe Odoli, Hélène L. Lauzon, Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir, Hannes Magnússon, Sigurjón Arason and Ragnar Jóhannsson. The poster won the award for the best poster of the conference.

Matís Report 39-09. Injection and pickling of tilapia fillets. Kristín Anna Þórarinsdóttir, Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir, Þóra Valsdóttir, Irek Klonowski, Aðalheiður Ólafsdóttir, Hannes Magnússon, Arnljótur Bjarki Bergsson, Ragnar Jóhannsson, Emilía Martinsdóttir (closed). Report summary.

Report Matís 38-09.  Optimal storage conditions for fresh farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fillets. Emilía Martinsdóttir, Cyprian Ogombe Odoli, Hélène L. Lauzon, Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir, Hannes Magnússon, Sigurjón Arason and Ragnar Jóhannsson (open).

Two scientific articles from the material will be published and a manuscript for one of them will be available.

Further information is provided by Emilía Martinsdóttir. emilia.martinsdottir@matis.is.

The Agricultural Research Council will be held on 18-19. February 2010 in the premises of Hotel Saga. As usual, the Conference offers discussion and dissemination of diverse professional material in various seminars, but over the years this forum has developed into the most effective dissemination method for the results of diverse research and development work in agriculture, in addition to which the session discusses various issues related to the industry that are high on the agenda at any given time.

The conference begins with a ceremony in Súlnasal Hotel Saga at 13:00 on Thursday 18 February. Jón Bjarnason, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, will chair the session, followed by Þorsteinn Ingi Sigfússon at the Iceland Innovation Center. Afterwards, Haraldur Benediktsson, chairman of BÍ, will discuss food security and Icelandic agriculture.

After a joint program in Súlnasalur, the session is divided into several seminars where a variety of topics are on the agenda. These include sustainable energy production and innovation in food processing. On Friday, the session continues and starts at 9:00 in the meeting rooms of Hotel Saga. There will also be a discussion on genetics, livestock conditions and ecology. Alongside the lectures is a poster exhibition.

The Agricultural Research Council is held annually by the Icelandic Farmers' Association, Landgræðslan, Veiðimálastofnun, Skógrækt ríkisins, Matvælastofnun, Landbúnaðarháskóli Íslands, Hólaskóli - Hólar University, Hagþjónusta landbúnaðarins and Matís.

The vast majority of papers that will be presented at the Academic Assembly are published in special printed editions that participants in the Assembly can receive and are included in the participation fee. Furthermore, most of the lectures will be available in the Agricultural Research Museum on landbunadur.is. The collection of articles contains a large part of agricultural material that has been published in recent years.

The discussion and agenda of the Academic Assembly can be accessed on the Farmers' Association's website, www.bondi.is

.

Interesting lectures include:
Possibilities and obstacles in the utilization of organic energy resources
- Cultivation of energy plants on farms
- Hot water farming in Iceland
Opportunities for horticulture in food production
- Dried lamb
- The Icelandic cow breed, consumer attitudes and preservation costs
Relationship between Nordic horse breeds
- Ecosystem of heath ponds
- Evolutionary changes at Lake Mývatn
- omfl.

All those interested in professionalism in agriculture and natural sciences, including farmers, are invited to attend the session as long as space allows. You can register for the Conference on the Web www.bondi.is. Conference fee is ISK 10,000 (including meeting materials and coffee / tea) but students get free admission upon presentation of a student ID.

For further information:
Gunnar Guðmundsson, Farmers' Association of Iceland, tel. 563-0333 and 896-1073 or e-mail gg@bondi.is.
Tjörvi Bjarnason, Farmers' Association of Iceland, tel. 563-0332 and 862-3412 or e-mail tjorvi@bondi.is

The AVS project Product development of spicy and mashed silver is now complete. The project was about completing product development on the above product.

Sales have been used in Iceland since the settlement. Sölvatekja was by far the most in the south and west of the country. There was a great deal of trade with the halls from the South, the Faxaflói area and Breiðafjörður. Consumption of silver has continued to this day, but is only a fraction of what it used to be. Salt has undoubtedly had a good effect on the nation's health, along with angelica, mountain grass and red cabbage. The properties of the solvents have been little studied, for example nutritional value or moderate effect.

Íslensk hollusta ehf (formerly Hollusta úr hafinu ehf) has produced and sold sales in recent years both for the domestic market and exported a bit. The company started developing spicy silver in 2006. Reactions to the product have shown that it is a special and very interesting product. Spicy salt was first introduced at the Food 2006 exhibition. Since then, the product has been sold in small quantities to hotels and restaurants. It has also been introduced and sold at trade fairs in Fífunn in 2007 and in outdoor markets in recent years. During the presentations, 80-90% of those who tried it have been very impressed with it.

Íslensk hollusta ehf. got Matís to partner with it to complete product development on the spicy silverware and a grant from AVS for it. Tests were performed on marinating in several common materials, ie. oil, soy sauce, vinegar, whey and brine. Marienering similar to that used by Íslensk hollusta ehf turned out to be the best, but tests showed that the processing process could be significantly improved to the best product in terms of appearance, taste and shelf life. Spicy salts are now an interesting product with a beautiful look and delicious taste. It will be interesting to see how the market responds to this innovation.

Íslensk hollusta ehf. (formerly Hollusta úr hafinu ehf.) was established in 2005. The company produces various Icelandic health products, which are sold on the Icelandic health market, in tourist shops and to domestic and foreign hotels and restaurants. This autumn, the company received recognition from the Industry Association's Award Fund, Kristján Friðriksson's fund in Últíma, for original innovative, Icelandic products.

Further information about the project can be obtained from Eyjólfur Friðgeirsson, hollustaurhafinu@simnet.is and Þóra Valsdóttir, thora.valsdottir@matis.is.

It has been decided to set up an association to hold conferences on important issues in the field of fisheries. The association should not be an interest group of individual groups and should not work to protect interests, but ensure a constructive discussion and encourage good work.

It has been decided to establish Sjávarútvegsráðstefnan ehf. The inaugural meeting of the company will be held on 19 February at 15:30 in Verbúðin - Víkin, Sjóminjasafn in Reykjavík, Grandagarður 8, 101 Reykjavík. All those involved in the fisheries sector are encouraged to become shareholders. The association is not an interest group of individual groups and does not work for advocacy. The company's role is to hold an annual fisheries conference and its purpose is to:

• promote professional and informative coverage of the fisheries sector and
• be a forum for communication between all those involved in the fisheries sector in Iceland.

The idea to the fisheries conference is to create a communication platform for all those involved in the fisheries sector in Iceland. This group includes those involved in fishing, aquaculture, primary processing, advanced processing, sales and marketing, services and research and development, as well as public bodies, teachers and students, the media and other enthusiasts. Today, there are various conferences and meetings within the fishing industry, but then usually related to individual associations, organizations or materials.

Objectives of the Fisheries Conference is to bring together in one place a cross-section of the industry to work for progress and progress. The Fisheries Conference is a forum where people meet, strengthen relationships and co-operate in the industry. The conference discusses important issues in the field of fisheries and hopes that it will be a source of ideas and encouragement for good deeds.

Anyone who is interested in the issues of the fishing industry can take part in the establishment of the company and attend the inaugural meeting. Those who are interested in being shareholders but can not attend, please send an e-mail to Guðbrandur Sigurðsson (gs@nyland.is) or Valdimar Ingi Gunnarsson (valdimar@sjavarutvegur.is)

Fisheries Conference 2010

The first fisheries conference will be held 6-7. September 2010 at the Grand Hotel in Reykjavík. The conference will be hosted on the web www.sjavarutvegsradstefnan.is where it will be possible to download programs and other information in the future. To ensure that as many people as possible can attend the conference, parties will be recruited to support the conference with the aim of keeping the participation fee in moderation.