In the introduction and in an episode about Hreindýrafélagið in Kastljós on 14 November. sl. stated that the Chief Veterinary Officer and Matís had objected to reindeer being transported to the Westfjords. It can surely be considered here that Matvælastofnun (MAST) and Matís ohf are being confused.
Matís is a knowledge and research company that works on development and innovation in the food industry, biotechnology and food safety. Matís provides advice and services to companies and individuals in the fisheries and agriculture sectors, as well as the Icelandic state. For example, Matís is involved in the development of new products and processes for large and small companies and has an important role to play in terms of food quality and safety. Matís is not subject to general supervision, whether it is food or animals. Matís therefore does not have an opinion on whether it is suitable or desirable to transport reindeer in the Westfjords.
If reindeer are transported to the Westfjords and hunted there, Matís can help hunters and others in the local community to create valuable products from the animals. For example, Matís can assist in establishing suitable food processing for reindeer meat processing. Many well-known products are made from such ingredients, fresh reindeer meat is a festive food that everyone knows, raw sausages made from reindeer meat are made in Norway and chowder and pâté are made from the meat or liver of the animals.
For further information Steinar B. Aðalbjörnsson, marketing director of Matís.