Staniford loses first round
Opinion
In a futile attempt to use any little scrap of dirt he could possibly dig up from any and all salmon farming operations around the world in order to defend his ridiculously childish and incredible accusations published on the Internet, Don Staniford desperately tried to convince a Supreme Court of British Columbia that this would be appropriate. But Madam Justice Elaine Adair wouldn’t have any of it, stating that the defamation suit by Mainstream Canada against Mr. Staniford was not a case about the activities of fish farms globally. “The defence must be directed to the complaint that’s made by the plaintiff in the action. I am exercising my discretion and refusing to grant the proposed amendments”, judge Adair said.
The Staniford defence team- led by lawyer David Sutherland- was recently buoyed by contributions from the likes of the Norwegian organization “Redd Villaksen” (save the wild salmon)- the Norwegian branch of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund- which states its board of directors has pledged US$ 10,000 (~€7,800) towards Mr Staniford’s defence against claims of defaming Mainstream Canada. This contribution would allegedly add to the over $16,000 already committed by his supporters. The contributions from Norway come in despite the repeatedly horrendous desecration by Mr. Staniford and his allies of the Norwegian flag- as depicted on his web site where he begs for additional contributions towards his defence. He and his followers have dragged a large Norwegian flag painted with sea lice through the streets of many Canadian and Norwegian cities- a fact that should have given reason for the Norwegian government to take Mr. Staniford and his clan to court for many an illegal and despicable action.
As part of its obviously misinformed and false justification for its support of Mr. Staniford’s actions, the “Redd Villaksen” organization makes this unfounded accusation, dragging its credibility into deep waters; “Migration of wild salmon in Pacific waters is the foundation for major ecosystems and many local communities (The only true part of the statement, although many of those “wild” salmon were produced by aquaculture- ed. Comment). Aquaculture, based on Atlantic salmon, has led to species and diseases that are not found naturally in BC. These have subsequently spread to wild populations of Pacific salmon in this area.
The attempt by Mr. Staniford and his defense team is not surprising, as the salmon farming industry in British Columbia has a pretty good story to tell;
- Atlantic salmon can-not cross-breed with Pacific salmon
- No self-sustaining populations of Atlantic salmon has been established in the area, despite almost 10 million of the fish having been released- mostly intentionally- in the Northwest Pacific region of North America
- Environmental regulations ensure that any impacts on the bottom of the ocean around salmon farms are;
- Limited in scope to the area immediately adjacent to the farm
- Not increasing over multiple production cycles
- Reversible
Mainstream Canada provides more information in its explanation of its decision to go to trial in order to defend its reputation earlier this week;
In response to a prolonged and deliberate attack on our company and our employees, Mainstream Canada has been forced to defend our reputation against unfounded and irresponsible accusations by an anti-salmon farming activist. During the trial, which begins January 16, 2012, we will defend the reputation of our company, which is proud to be the first salmon farm in the world to be certified to the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association's Aboriginal Principles for Sustainable Aquaculture standard and the Global Aquaculture Alliance's Best Aquaculture Practices new standards for farmed salmon.
Mainstream Canada operates under some of the strictest regulations in the world that govern the aquaculture industry. There are currently 73 pieces of federal and provincial legislation that regulate every aspect of our business, from environmental protection to fish health to food inspection for human consumption. Canada is also a signatory or member to several different international agreements or organizations which affect aquaculture. Mainstream Canada's focus is on sustainable aquaculture. Our employees are proud of our reputation for producing quality salmon, and our respect for the local environment and the communities in which we operate.
While healthy debate on issues is a vital part of healthy communities, false and injurious statements are detrimental to these values and harmful to the interests of a free and democratic society. Mainstream's legal arguments will show that the damaging allegations published by the activist are malicious and unsupported by facts or fairness.
