Responding to the decision by the President of the High Court of Thiès to dismiss the request to temporarily close the Touba Protéine Marine (formally ‘Barna’) fishmeal factory in Cayar on the basis that it is polluting the town’s air, soil and water source, a spokesperson for Greenpeace Africa said:

“This is deeply disappointing for the people of Cayar – and for everyone in West Africa who wants to protect marine life, jobs, access to food and the right to a healthy environment from destructive industries.

“Last month, the court was shown evidence of toxic metal levels exceeding legal limits in Cayar’s tap water and in the lake which is connected to the same groundwater, as well as video documentation of the factory’s trucks repeatedly dumping fish waste effluent in the lake.

“Despite this setback, we have confidence that the law will protect female fish processors and fishermen, to make fish affordable and available to people again and that children will be protected from factories polluting their water, air and land.

“This outcome only strengthens our resolve. Should we let this go on, then one day corporations will take the last fish out of our seas. And the factories like the one in Cayar will turn the last fish into fishmeal, and sell it to other countries to feed their animals.

“We will not give up. We won’t let the rich and powerful sell Senegal’s future. The people of Cayar will continue their struggle because they don’t have a choice.”

Thaddée Adiouma Seck, Senior Programme Officer at Natural Justice, which is also supporting the litigation, said:

“This decision by the Court is particularly regrettable. If, in light of the evidence provided by the community, the judge did not sanction the company, this means that awareness raising on environmental issues remains urgent. However, we do not intend to give up, as the fight for a healthy environment is a fight for future generations.”