Given the dissemination of biased and/or biased information in two recent publications on the Ojo Público portal, we point out the following:
1. At Grupo Ocho Sur we operate under a strict code of ethics that puts life and human rights first; In this sense, we condemn any action that harms people and/or negatively affects the environment.
To avoid the biased use of information, we call on the media to specifically identify who has made these threats against native leaders.
2. We began our operations in 2016 after the acquisition of the funds of a trust established by the company La Fiduciaria S.A., a highly prestigious entity regulated by the SBS. Consequently, we reject any type of relationship with the Plantaciones de Pucallpa company or the Melka group, as mentioned in the article.
3. It is totally false that we have any conflict over land with neighboring indigenous communities. We are not being investigated for deforestation and we confirm that since 2016 when we acquired the farms, all the plantations were duly sanitized and registered in Public Registries. Since that moment, we have not expanded a single hectare of palm on our agricultural frontier and we maintain a good neighborly relationship with the 23 surrounding communities. The only conflicts have been artificially created by third parties with particular interests different from the true demands of the jungle and native populations.
4. The cultivation of oil palm in the Peruvian jungle is and has been a peaceful agricultural activity, promoted by the Peruvian State and international cooperation, as an alternative to replace illegal coca leaf crops in the Amazon.
5. We reiterate that the OEFA has already determined in all its instances that Ocho Sur complies with Peruvian regulations, annulled the fine of 9 million soles, as well as the order to stop activities.
6. We consider that it is impossible for the population of the Santa Clara de Uchunya community to perceive noises from the extraction plant since they are located on the other side of the Aguaytía River, many kilometers away. Even the Ocho Sur workers installed in the camps adjacent to the plant cannot perceive any noise. We permanently carry out monitoring on this issue.
7. It is absolutely false that any type of prior consultation was required with the community of Santa Clara de Uchunya for the approval of the Environmental Impact Study (EIA) of the extraction plant, as this note intentionally tries to conclude.
We have complied with the provisions of the Ministry of Culture and the Regional Directorate of Agriculture of Ucayali (reports No. 025-2019-DLL/DGPI/BMI/MC of January 28, 2019 and No. 002-2018-GRU- DRA-DISAFILPA-ACCN/JRAM) that indicate that the community is outside the area of direct and indirect influence of the plant.
8. It is at least surprising that Mr. Efer Silvano Soria, head of the community of Santa Clara de Uchunya, affirms the existence of an alleged division within it because of Ocho Sur, when he was – in his capacity as highest authority – who signed the Minutes of the public Assembly of December 22, 2019.
In this act, the community’s willingness to work, without any conditions, with Ocho Sur and the Municipality of Nueva Requena on works for the benefit of the community was ratified. Likewise, it was agreed that Mr. Alex Soria would be part of the working group headed by Mr. Efer Silvano Soria himself.
Finally, we invite any serious and objective media to visit our operations and the 23 neighboring communities, so that they can directly see the positive impact of our operations and the excellent relationships we maintain in our area of influence.
