News
CI investigation prompts call for moratorium on pineapple industry expansion
02 Dec 2010
Costa Rican NGO National Front of Sectors Affected by
the Pineapple Industry (FRENASAPP), called for a moratorium on further
expansion of pineapple production in a public statement released
yesterday.
Referring to CI's
investigative film about the pineapple trade, FRENASAPP said it
based its demand on a "series of stories circulating in Europe and
the campaign in the European market against the commercialisation
of pineapples in Costa Rica, initiated by the prestigious NGO
Consumers International [as well as] a series of unpunished damages
by pineapple companies".
The communiqué notes that intensive pineapple production has led
to numerous environmental impacts including pollution of
groundwater and surface water, draining of wetlands, destruction of
forests, sedimentation of rivers, soil erosion, and
infestations.
Workers rights violations
FRENASAPP's communiqué stresses "the serious violation of rights
of workers," including the right to occupational health, to work in
decent conditions, and to earn a living wage.
Environmental consequences violate human rights, "since the
right to life is based on fundamental necessities such as the right
to health and a healthy environment, to water, to food, and to
adequate housing- all of which are being violated".
Furthermore, the communiqué states that "pineapple industry
activity essentially benefits transnational companies and their
national partners, deepens external dependency, promotes land
concentration and undermines food sovereignty… at the expense of
decent living communities, particularly the rural poor".
FRENASAPP is formed of local groups and communities affected by
the pineapple producing regions of Brunca, the Atlantic Huetar and
Huetar Norte. The group also has the support of organisations such
as Forum Emaus Cedarena Ditsö, environmentalist groups, Asadas
Association, development associations and several NGOs and civil
society organisations.