January 29, 2021

BioMar joins Nordic firms in support of EU human rights legislation

BioMar has published a joint statement together with 12 major Nordic international companies to demonstrate support for a human rights due diligence legislation in the European Union.

As an international organisation, BioMar functions across borders and has a complex value chain, and has, over the last few years, been increasing focus on human rights and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to strengthen internal practices as well as developmental work with suppliers.

As part of this engagement, BioMar participates in the Nordic Business Network for Human Rights and contributes to other similar seafood industry forums.

On January 28, the network has stated in a joint statement its support for a human rights due diligence legislation in the EU. Signatory companies are BioMar, Novo Nordisk, The Lego Group, Arla, Danfoss, Inter IKEA Group, Lundbeck, Neste, Norsk Hydro, Statkraft, Vestas Wind Systems and Yara.

"It is important that we use the leverage of EU to achieve legislative alignment regarding human rights due diligence across industries. The EU has a unique opportunity to develop a regulatory framework which could serve as an effective, efficient and coherent tool for the aquaculture industry, and which could assist as an international benchmark for advancing the implementation of the UNGPs," said Sif Rishoej, vice president of people, purpose and communication at BioMar Group.

The Danish Institute for Human Rights moderates the Nordic Business Network for Business and Human Rights, and welcomes the companies' joint statement.

"This statement from major Nordic companies is a much-needed contribution to the current debate on an EU-wide measure on human rights due diligence. Such a measure bears the potential to improve human rights in global value chains, including for workers and communities in poor countries. We recognise the leadership it takes to welcome such a legislative development and hope this input will inform the discussions and support the EU Commission and Parliament in developing an effective and impactful measure in support of human rights," said Elin Wrzonchki, department director on business and human rights.

- BioMar