Haakon ’safe,’ but drops controversial fish-farm visit
An official royal visit to Chile has been trimmed once again, with Crown Prince Haakon dropping a long-planned visit to a Norwegian-controlled fish-farming operation because of labour and security trouble. Palace officials insist the crown prince is in no danger, though.
Chilean authorities advised the crown prince against going ahead with a visit to fish-farming facilities run by AKVA Group and Marine Harvest in Puerto Montt. Norway’s ambassador to Chile, PÃ¥l Moe, told reporters the visit was cancelled because of an ongoing labour conflict at both plants.
No threats were lodged against the crown prince, and Chile’s protocol chief Antonia Pena said “it’s not dangerous for him to travel to Puerto Montt.” Rather, the Chilean authorities issued a press statement that they didn’t want such a high-ranking person as the crown prince to visit places hit by such a conflict.
“It’s too bad the visit can’t be made, but I’ll follow the advice the Chilean authorities give,” Crown Prince Haakon said.
Troubled trip
Environmentalists and critics of salmon farming had called for Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit to cancel their entire trip to Chile. They claimed that Norwegian-backed fish-farming operations in Chile exploit local workers and threaten wild salmon in the area.
Others have protested the royal visit because native groups in southern Chile are upset over plans by a Norwegian-owned firm, SN Power, to build a power plant in their area. A royal visit, they argue, would seem to condone the controversial plans.
Mette-Marit ended up staying home, after palace officials said she’d developed an acute case of stomach flu. Haakon traveled alone to Santiago, arriving Wednesday, and said he felt it was “right” to make the trip because of important ties between the countries.
‘Disappointed
Marine Harvest’s chief executive, meanwhile, claimed there was no conflict at his firm that warranted Thursday’s cancellation. “We are very disappointed and don’t understand this,” said Leif Frode Onarheim. “At the same time, we respect the authorities’ decision.”
He thinks a workers’ occupation at AKVA Chile may have prompted the cancellation, and that authorities fear the same could occur at other plants. AKVA Chile officials couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.
Representatives of Norway’s trade unions’ congress, LO, had visited fish-farming operations in Chile last fall, and called for improvements in working conditions and terms. Marine Harvest is the world’s largest fish-farming firm, while AKVA Group supplies equipment to the industry.
Another controversial visit carried out
Crown Prince Haakon went ahead with the visit to SN Power. “I’m convinced that SN Power is in a good dialogue with the local population, the Mapuche folk,” Crown Prince Haakon said. “I have worked with native peoples and their challenges through my engagement in the UN. I’m well aware of the issues.”
SN Power was formed in 2002 by Norwegian state-owned power agency Statkraft and Norfund to construct export Norway’s hydro-electric expertise overseas. The Mapuche people fear their lands will be damaged and their livelihoods threatened by a hydro-electric plant.
The crown prince said it was essential that the local population be included in all planning and that their concerns be heard. He said he was relying on SN Power’s management that they’re doing so.
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