What really happened when Bob Brown met JBS?

Global food giant JBS - the new owner of Huon Aquaculture - has met with environmental groups to discuss the future of farming salmon in Tasmania. INSIDE THE MEETING >>

GLOBAL food giant JBS - the new owner of Huon Aquaculture - has been warned it faces intense scrutiny to deliver on its commitment to not damage the environment through fish farming.

Environmental groups the Bob Brown Foundation and Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection met JBS head of corporate and regulatory affairs John Berry, deputy chief executive officer Philip Wiese, and Huon representatives in Hobart on Thursday.

Last week the Federal Court of Australia approved the takeover of Huon Aquaculture by Brazilian meat giant JBS, which will take effect on November 17.

Environmentalist Bob Brown said he did not expect Tasmania’s controversial fish farming practices to improve under JBS.

“They had nothing, not one thing to offer the Tasmanian people in terms of specifically improving this damaging industry,” Dr Brown said.

Bob Brown after meeting with JBS Australia in relation to salmon farms. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“They did commit to providing baseline studies to Huon’s previous operations in the

Huon and the Channel ... we’ll see.”

Both groups called for JBS to implement the Dennes Point Declaration which would result in an end to further expansions of industrial fish farms in Tasmanian waters, an immediate transition to land-based aquaculture, and for the industry to be governed by an independent and transparent regulation.

Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection co-chair Peter George urged JBS to put environmental safety above profit.

“We made it very clear we consider their industry (aquaculture) to be very 20th century and in the 21st century they have to catch up and move to land based production to reduce the environmental impacts,” he said.

JBS Australia CEO Brent Eastwood. Pics Adam Head

In a statement on Thursday, JBS Australia said chief executive Brent Eastwood and senior JBS executives have spent the week in Tasmania visiting Huon’s facilities and meeting some of its 850 employees, ahead of JBS officially acquiring the Huon business on Wednesday.

“The JBS team also met with local environment, political and community stakeholders,” a spokeswoman said.

“In good faith, JBS initiated meetings with the Bob Brown Foundation and TAMP to understand their issues.”

Bob Brown Foundation fish farm and marine campaigner Rebecca Howarth said the group would take further action if JBS didn’t carry out their commitment.

“We have huge concerns about the environmental impact. We are concerned about the abuse of seals, we are concerned about the impact to endangered species, nutrient pollution,” she said.