The Ocho Sur Company categorically rejects the defamatory report issued by the NGO Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) on February 7 of this year, financed by foreign interests, and expresses the following to the public so that it does not allow itself to be surprised:
- The company has no connection whatsoever with Mr. Denis Melka and we categorically deny the unfounded accusations that attribute to us having caused deforestation in Ucayali in 2012 and 2013, since our company began its operations in 2016, acquiring its assets legitimately through a public auction of a trust guarantee. We are not the continuation of any previous company. Therefore, it is impossible to attribute alleged actions that occurred before its existence to Ocho Sur.
- Since the beginning of its operations in 2016, Ocho Sur has been an active defender of the environment, not carrying out any deforestation. On the contrary, we have regenerated and protected forests, expanding our reserve areas and signing conservation agreements with native communities.
- We have received the Green Initiative certification for measuring our carbon footprint and our industrial operations are 100% circular economy, achieving several international certifications such as ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001, which guarantee our excellence in environmental management and safety. and protection of our workers. We are a leading company and a model to follow for sustainability in the Peruvian Amazon, with defined and transparent policies that operate with complete legality. We are an axis of development for the people and native communities that are our neighbors, whom we sustainably support in education, health, sanitation, sports and connectivity, which is significantly improving their quality of life.
- The company operates in compliance with the laws and stands out as one of the few agricultural units in Peru with approved soil studies (CTCUM) and changes of use issued by competent authorities. Currently, it is processing its Environmental Adequacy Program (PAMA) in accordance with the law, and regularly receives visits from various Peruvian supervisory organizations.
- The allegations of occupation of ancestral lands are unfounded and have been duly dismissed by the Regional Government, the Judiciary and the Constitutional Court. However, they continue to be repeated by those who profit by manufacturing non-existent conflicts and falsely claim to represent native communities.
- Regarding the recent modification of the forestry law, we want to make it clear that Ocho Sur denies any participation in said process and that, by having soil studies and changes of use for our operations, it complies with the current forestry law.
- Ocho Sur denounces in strong terms the campaigns of media, fiscal and judicial harassment promoted by certain NGOs, who do not represent the interests of Peru but rather foreign groups. These groups are interested in maintaining the “status quo” that contributes to poverty in the Amazon, which unfortunately perpetuates mass deforestation and encourages illegal activities.
- We reaffirm our commitment to the sustainable and inclusive development of the peoples of the Amazon and to the care of the environment. We reiterate our vocation for dialogue and call on these NGOs that attack us without foundation, to join forces and resources to improve the living conditions of all residents and solve the real problems of the Amazon.
Pucallpa February 8, 2024
