Agreement on OECD complaint
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Friends of the Earth Norway, Forum for Environment and Development (ForUM) and
Cermaq ASA have agreed on a Joint Statement on the foundation for sustainable
aquaculture. The statement concludes a more than two years old complaint on
Norwegian fish farming activities in Chile and Canada.
The agreement was finalised after mediation in the new Contact point for
responsible business, Norway's National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines
for Multinational Enterprises.
Friends of the Earth Norway and ForUM filed a complaint against Cermaq in 2009,
claiming the company had acted in violation with the OECD's guidelines. Cermaq
rejected these claims. The parties have now agreed on a joint statement
highlighting the importance of sustainable use of natural resources for the
future of aquaculture, the company's social responsibility in the time to come
and the future contact between the NGOs and the company.
Learning from Chile
- We acknowledge that aquaculture in Chile, including Cermaq's farming
activities, was not sustainable in the manner it was done prior to the fish
health crisis in 2007. We have learned from the Chilean collapse, and followed
through on a number of concrete improvements, says Bård Mikkelsen, Chair of the
Cermaq Board.
- We are very pleased that this process concluded with constructive dialogue
which both parties are set to continue, he underscores.
Friends of the Earth Norway and ForUM acknowledge that Cermaq has learned from
the crisis in Chile.
- We see that Cermaq has undertaken positive changes in their routines to
prevent fish disease both in Chile and in Cermaq's global business, says Lars
Haltbrekken, Chair of Friends of the Earth Norway's board.
Chair of ForUM's board, Andrew P. Kroglund, emphasizes the significance of the
agreement.
- We are also very pleased that Cermaq through the Joint Statement commits to
respecting the rights of indigenous people in all areas where they operate, he
says.
The Joint Statement describes, amongst others, how Cermaq will operate according
to the precautionary principle, indigenous peoples' rights, human rights, labour
rights and reporting on sustainability. The Joint Statement also acknowledges
that Cermaq, after the crisis in fish health in Chile, has contributed to
knowledge development to make the industry more sustainable.
The parties agree there are accusations in the complaint that have been refuted.
The parties also agree that contact shall be based on mutual trust and
clarification of facts.
Mediation succeeded
The complaint was filed in May 2009. In March 2011 the Contact Point was
reorganised, and made independent of the Norwegian government. The new Contact
Point for responsible business formally took on the complaint March
30(th) 2011. The Contact Point retrieved comprehensive additional information
from the parties. The complainants still feel there are aspects regarding the
case about which an independent study could have provided better enlightenment.
The Contact Point is of the opinion that the most material issues in the case,
especially those concerning environment, were satisfactory examined amongst
other through an inquiry by the Institute for Marine Research. Considering
resources aspects and efficiency, taking into consideration that the case has
been on-going for nearly two years, the Contact Point has not found it
appropriate to initiate further investigations. In mid-April the parties were
gathered and offered mediation.
- The parties have participated in an important process to solve disputes on
corporate responsibility regarding human rights and environmental
considerations, says chairman of the Contact Point, Dean and Professor Hans
Petter Graver (University of Oslo).
In spite of all OECD countries having a corresponding Contact Point, there are
very few examples of similar Joint Statements.
The Norwegian Contact Point for responsible business
The OECD's guidelines are recommendations for how enterprises involved in
multinational trade and production should deal with, among other things human
rights and environmental issues. Membership in OECD obligates having a national
Contact Point, a body for issuing complaints to treat claims of violation of the
OECD guidelines.
The complaint against Cermaq involves Norway as the company's head office is
located in Norway, as well as Chile and Canada where operations are located. All
these countries are OECD members. In the complaint against Cermaq the
complainants wanted the attitude and policies of the head office to change in
order to impact the operations abroad in a consistent manner. Cermaq agreed that
the complaint should be handled by the Norwegian Contact Point, as did also the
Norwegian, Chilean and Canadian Contact Points.
The Contact Point is not a judicial body, but can assess whether a company has
acted in violation with the guidelines for corporate responsibility.
The Norwegian Contact Point is financed by and administrated by the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, but is in substance independent of the Government.
For further information, contact:
Lise Bergan, Director Corporate Affairs, Cermaq ASA
Phone: +47 932 51 114, e-maillise.bergan(at)cermaq.com
About Cermaq:
The Cermaq group is an international company with operations withing fish
farming, production of fish feed and research and development within
aquaculture. Cermaq operates in Norway, Chile, Scotland and Canada, which are
the four most important regions for farming of salmon and trout. The group is
through the business area EWOS the world's second largest producer of fish feed
for salmon and trout. The business area Mainstream is amongst the largest
farmers of salmon and trout. The group achieved operative revenues of
approximately NOK 10 billion for 2010. Cermaq is listed on Oslo Stoch Exchange
with ticker CEQ.
Home page:www.cermaq.com
Joint Statement:
http://hugin.info/134455/R/1537756/469546.pdf
Statement by the Norwegian NCP:
http://hugin.info/134455/R/1537756/469547.pdf
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Source: Cermaq ASA via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1537756]
Datum: 11.08.2011 - 06:01 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 57132
Anzahl Zeichen: 7275
contact information:
Town:
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Kategorie:
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"Agreement on OECD complaint"
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