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Dole Implementing New Environmental Policy in Pineapple Production |
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27 June 2008, press release from Dole Food Company, Westlake Vollage, California
Dole Food Company, Inc. today announced the implementation of new, progressive environmental agricultural practices for pineapple production in Costa Rica.
Dole’s decision in October of 2007 to discontinue the use of paraquat was quickly implemented worldwide on both company and contracted grower farms. Costa Rica presented specific challenges where the cattle fly (stomoxys calcitrans) could multiply rapidly and reach harmful levels if crop residues were not desiccated by this herbicide.
Working together with the Government of Costa Rica and the Company’s
own scientists and production team, Dole was able to develop more
sustainable agricultural practices allowing for paraquat-free pineapple
production. Dole is using innovative practices on its pineapple farms
such as mechanical destruction and minimum tillage, eliminating the
need to burn crop residue and avoiding release of CO2 into the
atmosphere.
“Our model practices on Dole’s pineapple farms in Latin America are
setting new standards for the entire industry,” said Richard Toman,
Vice President of Pineapple Operations for Dole Fresh Fruit
International, Ltd.
Dole is working to produce a carbon neutral product supply chain for
bananas and pineapples in Costa Rica. In partnership with the country’s
Ministry of Environment and Energy, Dole is engaging supply chain
partners and stakeholders to neutralize the carbon footprint resulting
from the planting, harvesting, packaging and distribution of bananas
and pineapples from Costa Rica.
Dole Food Company, Inc., with 2007 revenues of $6.9 billion, is the
world’s largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit and
fresh vegetables. Dole markets a growing line of packaged foods and
frozen fruit and is a produce industry leader in nutrition education
and research.
CONTACT: Dole Food Company, Inc.
In the U.S. Contact:
Marty Ordman, 1-818-874-4834
or
In Europe or Latin America Contact:
Sylvain Cuperlier, +33 (0)1-44-17-3060
SOURCE: Dole Food Company, Inc.
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