Mainstream Canada has begun legal proceedings against Don Staniford and his organisation, The Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture, for defamatory statements that have been made regarding the company''s fish farming operations.
Mainstream and Cermaq view his statements as false and misleading.
In a press release, the companies said that the statements made by Staniford are a direct attack on Mainstream Canada's and parent company Cermaq's reputations as responsible company engaged in sustainable aquaculture.
“For a number of years certain environmental activists in British Columbia, Canada, have been attacking our company and the industry with false and misleading statements. We have a responsibility towards our employees, that is why Mainstream Canada is acting now,” says Lise Bergan, Corporate Affairs Director of Cermaq.
“Our employees are working hard every day ensuring responsible aquaculture. We adhere to strict regulations and our company code of conduct. Comparing fish farming with cancer is an offence to all our employees, but also disrespectful to all those who suffer from cancer,” comments Bergan.
The press release said that statements made by Staniford have gone beyond logic and defy the conclusions of many well respected researchers and third party experts who have documented and reported on fish farming practices and their impact on individuals, the environment or other industries.
It continues to say that Staniford's intention seems to be to frighten and convince consumers to turn away from eating farmed salmon. Contrary to his statements, the health benefits of eating fat fish like farmed salmon are broadly encouraged. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times (two servings) a week.
The company says that for Mainstream Canada this is not only a question of protecting its reputation, but an obligation to employees, and to partners like suppliers, the communities where Mainstream operates and Mainstream's First Nations partners. The objective of Mainstream and Cermaq is a business environment where issues are discussed with fair arguments based on knowledge, and not a situation where individuals or organisations such as Staniford's obstruct with defamatory actions.
