Mowi Actively Courts Trade Press Backlash Vs 'Irrational' & 'Fanatical' Activist!

Mowi Actively Courts Trade Press Backlash Vs 'Irrational' & 'Fanatical' Activist! https://t.co/KrW6veyNRU @MowiScotlandLtd #ShootingYourselfInTheFoot #WhenInAHoleStopDigging @SSPOsays #WhereThereIsAHitThereIsAWrit pic.twitter.com/FPnW3g4hLW
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) October 11, 2021

On Friday afternoon I received a number of emails from reporters at various trade press publications asking for a comment in reaction to a press release issued by Norwegian-owned giant Mowi. Two trade press reporters kindly shared Mowi's press release (issued at 1.52pm on Friday 8 October 2021) and said they were reporting on the news within the hour - hence I felt obliged to issue a press statement in reply.

I will be defending Mowi's legal action in the strongest terms - the truth always wins out in the end! @IntraFish https://t.co/griR3K3N6a @MowiScotlandLtd @SSPOsays @Folketrygdfond @tavishscott
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) October 8, 2021

Fish Farmer reported (11 October 2021):

"Scotland’s largest salmon farmer, Mowi, is seeking a permanent interdict in the courts to prevent activist Don Staniford from accessing its farm sites without permission" @fishfarmermag https://t.co/ggQl7ODumU
"I look forward to debating these vital legal issues in open court" pic.twitter.com/uJQaS1ISUa
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) October 11, 2021

Salmon Business reported (8 October 2021):

Having met Don Staniford I know he is committed to exposing poor welfare in the salmon industry so they are forced to improve the conditions for the fish. If salmon welfare was good then there would be nothing to expose #fishwelfare https://t.co/Sb0LfqlnDx
— Lynne Sneddon (@LynneUSneddon) October 9, 2021

Undercurrent News reported (8 October 2021):

Mowi's Scottish division is seeking a permanent interdict (injunction) against anti-aquaculture campaigner Don Staniford on health and safety grounds.

Staniford, despite repeated requests not to do so, has continued to put himself and the company’s employees and animals at risk, the company claimed.

Scotland’s largest salmon aquaculture company has commenced proceedings seeking orders preventing Staniford from entering onto, attaching vessels to or approaching within 15 meters of all structures, docks, walkways, buildings, floats or pens at its salmon aquaculture farming sites. Following the service of court papers, Staniford has given undertakings to court to not act as complained of, pending a full determination of the proceedings.

"This person’s behaviors and actions that we have borne witness to over the past two years gives cause for great concern and is not something that our staff should have to endure whilst going about their daily work," said Mowi Scotland's chief operating officer, Ben Hadfield. "Everyone should be able to go to work and expect their workplace to be free of harassment and intimidation."

While Mowi has been concerned at Staniford's "lack of respect toward...employees", the basis for these court proceedings is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of employees, fish and Staniford and his associates, the company said.

"Our business also receives much oversight from licensed professionals, government regulators and third-party auditors, and therefore does not require the services of self-appointed individuals."

Mowi’s writ cites the regular site visits and audits conducted by professionals trained in such areas as fish health, safety, and environmental management. The Scottish salmon sector -- the country’s largest food export -- is recognized as one of the most highly regulated and transparent, it said.

Mowi Scotland’s salmon aquaculture farms were inspected 316 times in 2020 by third-party organizations that included Marine Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), with much of its data provided online for the public to access, it continued.

"We have not wanted to pursue legal recourse, but we cannot stand by and watch any person risk injury to themselves or for them to intentionally or unintentionally bring harm to our employees or our fish. These incursions are dangerous, unauthorized, risk our strict health protocols and have an unacceptable impact on our dedicated employees."

Staniford told Undercurrent News he would be defending Mowi's legal action "in the strongest terms".

He claimed film shot inside Mowi's salmon farms in July revealed welfare abuse, "mass mortalities and lice infestations", and said he was not surprised the Norwegian firm wanted to prevent the public from finding out "the ugly truth about Scottish salmon".

"Thankfully, the truth always wins out in the end and I look forward to debating these vital legal issues in open court," he added. The RSPCA went on to clear Mowi of the allegations made, finding no evidence to support them.

FREE READ: @MowiScotlandLtd is taking anti- #aquaculture campaigner Don Staniford of @TheGAAIA to court, seeking an injunction to prevent him coming near its #salmon farms on "health and safety grounds":

https://t.co/5MOcE2ROmv
— Undercurrent News (@undercur) October 8, 2021