Jón Gnarr warns EU referendum anger could fuel food boycott

Jón Gnarr, an MP for Viðreisn, has warned that resentment following Iceland’s referendum on European Union membership could have negative consequences, including calls to boycott Icelandic agricultural products, mbl.is reported.

“I have, for example, seen statements on social media from people who intend to boycott Icelandic agricultural products,” Jón said on Morgunblaðið’s Dagmál programme, where Andrea Sigurðardóttir interviewed him and Þórarinn Ingi Pétursson, an MP for the Progressive Party.

Þórarinn, who is also a farmer, said farmers had strongly felt the bitter disputes leading up to the referendum, particularly after the Farmers’ Association of Iceland took a clear position on the issue.

“I found it uncomfortable when statements emerged saying: Now we will simply boycott domestic food production,” Þórarinn said.

He said the result was now clear and that both sides would have to work with it. Andrea asked whether people had considered the consequences of “punishing agriculture”, including the potential impact on domestic production and food security.

Jón said anger and resentment were likely behind such reactions and warned against society splitting into opposing camps.

“When this kind of ‘me and the others’ division emerges in Iceland,” he said, adding that it was important to remember that agriculture was a major part of Icelandic national culture.

Þórarinn also said domestic food production was not only an employment issue, but was connected to food security, regional communities and culture.