News
Pineapple film provokes worldwide interest
14 Oct 2010
The film Pineapples: luxury fruit, at what
price? launched at the beginning of October has provoked
widespread interest and debate.
International coverage
With sustained coverage in The Guardian and over 20,000 hits
on the video during the first week, the film Pineapples: luxury fruit, at what
price? has sparked widespread comment and debate
internationally. For example:
News of the study and film have been picked up from one blog to
another, such as on Development Blogs
The Guardian's own Poverty Matters Blog includes reader
commentary. Plus, Felicity Lawrence talks about the reaction to
the film and investigation into the pineapple industry in Costa
Rica. Where do the profits go?
And the pesticide perspective in Spanish from Latin America on
RAP-AL.
Industry response
All companies named in the film were given an opportunity to
respond to the content of the film before it was completed and
responses that were received were taken into account.
Both Fyffes and Dole have responded in the industry press
(pdf).
CANAPEP (The National Chamber of Producers and Exporters of
Pineapple in Costa Rica) pointed to their own efforts at
improvements, however Consumers International (CI) believes that
much more still needs to be done.
Overall, amid claims of misinformation, the industry has yet to
fully acknowledge the evidence of the current problems uncovered by
this investigative documentary.
Reaction in Costa Rica
Within Costa Rica, wide press coverage prompted public
expressions of support in parliament and from civil society
including Friends of the Earth, Costa Rica.
Academics from the University of Costa Rica, who have in the
past called for a national moratorium on the expansion of new
pineapple plantations given the 'widespread pattern of pollution
and exploitation' within the pineapple industry also voiced their
support.
Continued exposure in Europe
In coming months, CI member organisations in Belgium,
Denmark, France, Greece, Poland, Spain and beyond will promote the
film through their national public campaigns.
Pineapples: luxury fruit, at what price? was also shown
at a meeting on sustainable consumption in Brussels organised by
the Belgian Presidency, and footage featured on TV4 business news
in Sweden.
What next?
The purpose of this documentary is to contribute to tangible
improvements in the future. We are calling for inclusive dialogue
within the Costa Rican pineapple supply chain to address the social
and environmental issues illustrated by the film. Together with our
European members we will continue to look to leading retailers
to play their part.