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The Man from Del Monte says “No” to environmental ruling |
2 June 2009, Banana Link
The residents of the Milano community in the canton of Siquirres in Costa Rica blocked the main arterial road from the capital, San Jose to the main port, Limon where it passes through the area for seven hours on 21st May 2009. They have been protesting for over two years about contamination of their water and land by nearby plantations that produce Del Monte Gold brand pineapples.
As the blockade was lifted, a committee of residents, accompanied by
the local plantation workers union lawyer met with representatives of
the Ministry of Health, Aqueducts and Drainage to demand action.
According to the Committee, recent studies undertaken by the Regional
Institute for the Study of Toxic Substances (IRET) had revealed rises
in pollution levels in water used for human consumption in the
community. Drinking water is already delivered in tanks, but residents
still have to use piped water for other domestic uses, including
washing.
The Environmental Association for the Protection of Water Catchments
and SITRAP’s Office for Occupational Health believe that a series of
cases of ulcers, skin problems and respiratory problems can be
attributed to the effects of chemicals used in the pineapple
plantations near Milano. The organisations called on the Ministry to
investigate the suspected link between water quality and health
problems and to put in place other means to assure provision of
adequate safe water in the short and long term.
A few days earlier, he Environment Tribunal had ordered Del Monte's
pineapple subsidiary Pindeco to close down one of its packing plants
located near to the Community. According to the SITRAP trade union, Del
Monte claimed in court that that the evidence was spurious. It is
therefore ignoring the Tribunal’s ruling.
Although environmental law is relatively good in Costa Rica, successive
governments have frequently tended to make exceptions when faced by
such big companies as Del Monte, claims Carlos Arguedes Mora, SITRAP’s
Secretary for Occupational Health & Safety and Environment.
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