A general theme in earlier CSR reports has been the implementation of Cheminova’s ambitious phase-out plan for the most toxic, so-called WHO class I products, in developing countries. It is not without a certain amount of pride that now I declare the plan fully implemented – on time and without delay en route. We have achieved our ambitious goal. Along with the phase out of the most toxic products, we have introduced a number of new products thus providing the farmer with alternatives and maintaining the company’s position. During the period, the product programme has been extended and modernised so that now we have a far more balanced portfolio of products to cover the farmer’s needs.
That the phase out plan has been implemented means that we can now focus on new tasks. Among these are village projects which – in agreement with our mission – aim to demonstrate that with modern farming techniques and correct product use, living conditions for the population in rural areas can be improved. With these projects we try to take a shared responsibility that reaches further out into the community than our traditional business. This is completely in line with the intention of the UN Global Compact which we endorsed last year. Here, it comes naturally to contribute to the abolition of hunger and poverty which is a primary aim in the UN Millennium Goals.
As a whole, the 2010 CSR report constitutes the annual reporting required by members of Global Compact. Additionally, one of the appendices of the CSR report highlights progress concerning the implementation of the principles of the UN Global Compact. Reporting according to GRI indicators has been continued in 2010 and extended with additional areas especially concerning management. This means that GRI level B has been reached. In two articles in this year’s report we are passing on impressions of how manufacturing of ready-to-use products is handled by our own company in Australia and by a toll manufacturer in Uruguay. Employees in the two companies describe how CSR related matters are dealt with in practice. In Cheminova, CSR is used as an integrated management tool which both meets society’s increasing demands for ethical and social responsibility and practices quality assurance and risk management. In this way the risk of mistakes and activities contrary to our values is reduced albeit not constituting any warrenty.
It is obvious that for our mission, vision and values to become rooted with all employees, a bigger effort than expected is needed. A questionnaire survey has shown considerable support for our mission, vision and values – not least the value "we are good corporate citizens." However, values only create value by leading to action. That is why in 2011 we will intensify the effort to link the values with our everyday tasks.
In 2010, our many stakeholders have again shown great interest in our CSR work and the dilemmas and challenges connected with it. The dialogue has provided us with valuable input and inspiration for the work with this aspect of the company’s activities.
It is the hope of my colleagues and myself that the report will be well received and that it will provide the basis of a continued positive dialogue about CSR.
CSR report