Yara set to stop buying potash from Lukashenka-controlled Belaruskali by April
The Norwegian company Yara International announced the discontinuation of purchasing potash fertilisers from Belarus by 1 April 2022. Yara is a principal partner of the Belarusian state-owned company Belaruskali.
“Yara has a strong commitment to universal human rights and condemns all forms of repression and human rights violations. With the support of human rights organisations and trade unions, Yara has sought positive change by leveraging its presence in Belarus to promote occupational safety and human rights. However, the effects on the supply chain from the current sanctions on Belarus have forced Yara to initiate a wind-down of its sourcing of Belarusian potash, a key ingredient for the production of mineral fertilisers used in food production,” Svein Tore Holsether, President and CEO of Yara International, said in Monday’s statement.
According to the company’s management, Yara is committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions. They stress, however, that Yara’s sourcing from Belarus is in full compliance with applicable sanctions, but other parts of the supply chain ‘are withdrawing essential services required to enable potash exports from Belarus’, which resulted in Yara’s initiating a wind-down in sourcing activities. The wind-down is expected to be completed by 1 April 2022.
In late December, Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke on the phone with Svein Tore Holsether; she told him that the repression in Belarus had not ceased. The politician also shared the results of a new investigation, which proves the direct involvement of Belaruskali directorship in election fraud. In turn, Mr Holsether said it would be better to take any possible steps to improve the safety situation than leaving Belarus and having no influence.
The representatives of the Belarusian diaspora as well as other concerned people have repeatedly picketed Yara’s offices in different cities, protesting against the company’s cooperation with Belaruskali.
