On March 31, regarding the gracious and recent visit made to the Ucayali region by the United States Ambassador to Peru, Lisa Kenna, along with senior officials of the embassy, during which they demonstrated their social sensitivity and the genuine commitment of the United States government to the protection of the Amazon forest, the fight against climate change and the well-being of the populations of the region; Some NGOs and their related groups such as FECONAU and AIDESEP as well as the Convoca web portal issued biased and/or false information that we proceed to clarify.
Since the beginning of its operations in Ucayali in 2016, Ocho Sur has not cleared or increased its agricultural border.
Ocho Sur was established by a group of North American investors, among which two investment funds Anholt Services and Amerra Capital stand out, investors regulated by the authorities of the United States of America, recognized for their impeccable reputation and for having invested more than five billion of dollars in agricultural projects worldwide.
It is important to note that Mr. Melka has no relationship with Ocho Sur or with the investment funds that own the company, as has been corroborated by the most important auditing firms in the world.
Our palm estates were acquired in 2016, in a public auction, in a completely legal and transparent manner from a first-class trust company and are registered in the Public Registries of Peru, without any type of charge or encumbrance.
We do not operate on ancestral lands of any native community. This false and baseless complaint, promoted by some NGOs, has been rejected by all levels of the Judicial Branch in Peru and by the highest regional government authorities.
The Santa Clara de Uchunya community, our neighbor, which recently celebrated its fiftieth (50th) anniversary, has publicly denied these organizations and has requested that they stop using its name to create non-existent conflicts. As a consequence, today they live threatened and harassed by these NGOs and their operators.
To date, our company is not under investigation for deforestation and there is no ruling or ruling against it issued by any competent authority.
We are a formal company, a leader in Ucayali and the Peruvian jungle, committed to the sustainable development of the region, the protection of forests and their biodiversity. We operate in strict compliance with Peruvian environmental regulations and are one of the first companies in the sector to operate with a circular economy, in addition to using organic fertilizers and developing biocorridors.
Unlike what is repeatedly reported by these organizations that insult us, we have been investing with our own resources in the reforestation of areas of land within our property and we are committed to the conservation of forests near our plantations.
Currently, our company is processing, also in full compliance with Peruvian legislation, its Environmental Adequacy Program (PAMA) for its estates. It is necessary to indicate that our industrial plant has a duly approved Environmental Impact Study (EIA).
Regarding the false accusation due to lack of security measures during COVID-19, we must report that the opposite is true. Ocho Sur has been recognized by the health authorities of Peru for its excellent internal management and its valuable contribution in the fight against the pandemic in the Ucayali region, successfully passing all the supervisions that the competent authorities carried out as a result of these false complaints promoted by certain NGOs and their operators.
We are firm defenders of human rights and we have never received, from any Peruvian government agency, a ruling or decision to the contrary. Our relationship policy with all our neighbors is based on respect and transparency.
Our activity today directly benefits more than 22,000 Peruvians in the Peruvian Amazon, generating not only well-being and development for our neighbors and Ucayali, but has created the exact opposite effect that these organizations that harass us denounce: palm oil. It has become an effective brake against deforestation and illicit activities that plague the Amazon.
We urge any Peruvian or international entity, truly concerned about the aforementioned issues, to contact us, visit Ucayali and learn about our operations in situ to verify our statements.
We deeply regret the unjustified attacks that certain groups have been carrying out as a result of the comments of Her Excellency Ambassador Kenna regarding her visit to Ucayali and we stand in solidarity with her and with all the embassy staff.
In that sense, we call for calm, for reflection, for elevated and respectful dialogue, and we reject all types of media campaigns aimed at pressuring, intimidating and/or damaging the good name and reputation of institutions and people.
With tolerance, truth and respect we can build a better future for all.
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