The funding and support the company has secured from international institutions is due to the fact that MHP can clearly demonstrate that the company’s operations adhere to the highest environmental and corporate governance standards, MHP writes.
ADVERTISEMENTMHP SE respectfully disagrees with the claims made by Mr Alexandre Andrade Sampaio and Ms Caitlin Danie from Accountability Counsel in their article "Proper EBRD policies can avoid further disgrace in Ukraine and elsewhere," published by Euroviews on 21 June.
We believe it is important to highlight factors about MHP and Ukraine that were overlooked in the initial opinion piece.
First of all, MHP is not the landlord or owner of the land in Vinnytsia and other regions in Ukraine — rather, the company leases the land from more than 130,000 small landowners in Ukraine, whose livelihoods entirely depend on the rent paid by MHP.
Under Article 130 of the Land Code of Ukraine, land in Ukraine can only be purchased by citizens of Ukraine; legal entities of Ukraine, established and registered under Ukrainian legislation, whose participants (shareholders, members) are exclusively citizens of Ukraine.
Therefore, MHP being registered under the laws of Cyprus, cannot buy land in Ukraine.
Moreover, the products MHP exports around the globe are a vital source of revenue for the Ukrainian government. These revenues are even more pivotal since the war started in Ukraine.
These are the facts about MHP
In 2023, MHP contributed an estimated €148 million in taxes to the Ukrainian state budget, making it the largest taxpayer across the food and agricultural sector.
The authors also fail to consider any of MHP’s CSR initiatives: the company spent €19 million only last year to support local communities living around its facilities.
This includes a tailored programme of support for 3,000 mobilised individuals and veterans. This initiative was a deserved winner of the 2024 International Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence awards.
As of today, more than 10% of MHP’s employees are mobilised to protect Ukrainians against terrorism and aggression.
MHP’s products are produced in strict compliance with the highest quality and animal welfare standards (FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, BRC Food, ISCC and Global G.A.P.), often exceeding EU requirements.
These processes are rigorously monitored by both EU and Ukrainian authorities, who would certainly address any concerns if they existed.
In 2023, following our work with Alltech E-CO2, MHP became the only poultry company worldwide that has achieved Carbon Trust accreditation for its poultry production.
Environmental stewardship is at the heart of everything MHP does and we do not recognise the authors’ claims of under-categorisation and a lack of due diligence in ascertaining the environmental impact of our operations.
MHP maintains comprehensive environmental performance records, provides regular training and education to our employees on environmental and climate change matters, and engages in regular dialogue with stakeholders about our environmental approach, management, and performance.
ADVERTISEMENTWe can demonstrate we adhere to the highest standards
The funding and support the company has secured from international institutions is due to the fact that MHP can clearly demonstrate that the company’s operations adhere to the highest environmental and corporate governance standards.
MHP disputes the authors' claims about its approach to community consultation in the strongest possible terms.
At MHP, we take very seriously our responsibility to conduct business and engage with all stakeholders to the highest ethical principles. Our employees have to follow a strict code of ethics and we insist that all MHP’s partners and contractors adhere to our code of conduct.
MHP is the largest producer and exporter of chicken in Ukraine.
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MHP's letter has been published according to their right to reply and with respect to our policy of all views.
