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 year 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.
“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.”
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.
