We have read the article as published in The Guardian, including the full report, and
would like to correct and clarify some information.
Specific Allegations Against Dole
Fire at Bataan Airport
Last June a fire broke out at one of Dole’s airports, not a “chemical dump” in Costa Rica.
This was an unexpected accident and all emergency efforts were coordinated with the
Fire Department to minimize risk to neighbors and avoid runoff from the site. Under
normal operations the airport installations are equipped with a completely closed system
whereby no waste or wash water is released to the environment; it is always re-used. As
stated in the article, Dole is cooperating with the authorities investigating the accident.
Acón Group
One pineapple producer (Grupo Acón) is presented as a Dole pineapple supplier. As
reported to the journalist, Grupo Acón does not supply pineapples to Dole in Costa Rica,
which hasn't purchased pineapple from this company since December 31, 2008. The
decision to end the supply arrangement with Grupo Acón was mutual, and based on
general market supply and demand considerations, not due to environmental or social
issues.
DBCP
The journalist is also referring to a former Dole worker being “one of the many chemical
sprayers made sterile by the notorious pesticide DBCP when he worked on Dole banana
plantation.”
We invite you to read the latest information regarding the DBCP lawsuit status on our
website, Dole.com, under “Company Information/News Center/DBCP Facts.”
In addition to responding to the allegations targeting Dole directly, we would also like to
provide you with more information regarding our policies and programs related to some
other allegations made by the journalist (general allegations or allegations targeting nonDole producers).
General Allegations (or Targeting Non-Dole Producers)
Use of Crop Protection Products
The journalist is saying that “the chemicals involved are legal in Costa Rica but include
some of the most controversial in the world.”
Dole uses crop protection products only when and where necessary, and always with the
proper care and in accordance with applicable laws. Dole will not use, anywhere, any
product banned for reasons of unacceptable health or environmental risk by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency or by the European Union.
Paraquat Use
The journalist is saying that “some of the plantations have used paraquat.”
In 2008, Dole was among the first pineapple companies to discontinue both the use of
paraquat and fire burning of crop residues in its agricultural operations worldwide, both
in company-owned farms and in those farms owned by contract growers who receive
technical support from Dole, regardless of the type of agricultural product. In contrast
with Dole’s operations, these practices are still widely used in the pineapple industry.
Certifications Related to Environmental Practices
In our pineapple plantations in Costa Rica, our environmental and good agricultural
practices are certified according to GlobalGAP, ISO 14001 and, in three of our four
company-owned farms, Rainforest Alliance. Furthermore, Dole has been in the vanguard
in investing in organic agriculture. Today, Dole in Costa Rica has dedicated 150 hectares
to organic pineapple production and also sources organic pineapples from an independent
producer.
Soil and Water Contamination
Dole has long been active in protecting soils and water. For detailed information
regarding our practices related to pineapple production in Costa Rica, feel free to contact
us. Combined, all these programs not only limit soil erosion, but they also reduce the use
of herbicides, fertilizers and other agro-chemicals and contribute to protect groundwater.
In the past two years, Dole undertook seminars for the Costa Rican pineapple industry in
order to extend best-practices related to soil and water conservation. This was done along
with CANAPEP, the Costa Rican Chamber of Pineapple Producers and Exporters, with
which we organized seven industry seminars focusing on soil conservation practices and
six seminars on soil and water conservation in some communities adjacent to pineapple
farms. Dole soil scientists review the soil conservation programs in company-owned
farms as well as for Dole independent growers.
Biodiversity
The journalist is saying that “biodiversity is eliminated.”
You will find in Appendix 1 a recent press release announcing that “local scientists found
several endangered species in one of our Costa Rican pineapple farm’s reserve.”
Labor Considerations
In terms of labor conditions, Dole is still the only1 pineapple company in Costa Rica
certified to SA 8000, the international standard on working conditions and human rights.
SA 8000 is an internationally recognized standard based on the ILO conventions, the
United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on Rights of
the Child. It focuses on child labor, forced labor, health and safety, freedom of
association and the right to collective bargaining, discrimination, disciplinary practices,
working hours, compensation and the implementation of an efficient management
system. You will find below a few examples of how SA 8000 applies to pineapple
production in Costa Rica.
SA 8000 also requires the implementation of a management system verifying, through
regular internal and external audits, that our independent growers also comply with the
provisions of the standards. A company certified to SA 8000 must maintain
documentation on labor issues. This documentation is thus reviewed by the auditors and
field visits. Interviews with workers both on the farm and outside of the farm are also
carried out.
Working Hours
In accordance with the SA 8000 requirements, working hours do not exceed 48 hours per
week, on a regular basis. Overtime does not exceed 12 hours a week. Overtime is
voluntary.
Wages
Our wages also comply with corresponding SA 8000 requirements, i.e., we pay well
more than the legal minimum wage and comply with SA 8000’s concept of a “living
wage.” In addition, the company contributes an additional substantial percentage of
worker wages to the social security system. Some workers also receive free housing paid
by the company, in addition to other services.
Discrimination
In terms of making sure that there is no discrimination at the workplace, SA 8000
auditors check that the Company complies with the following criteria (amongst others):
“The Company shall not engage in or support discrimination in hiring, remuneration,
access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national
origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, union membership, political
affiliation or age.”
Freedom of Association
1
A Dole pineapple producer also has its own SA 8000 certification
The SA 8000 auditors also ensure that all workers are free to join unions. In addition, in
May 2007, Dole in Costa Rica signed a framework agreement with the union
organization COSIBA-CR. The scope of the agreement covers banana and pineapple
production. The agreement provides for mechanisms to investigate potential issues and
implement corrective actions, if necessary, before issues potentially develop. The scope
of the agreement also covers the Company’s independent producers.
In addition, a Dole-independent producer has its production Fairtrade-certified.
Dole’s Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability policy and working practices
recognize the neighbors of our operations and communities wherever the company
operates. We work to achieve harmonious relationships with those around us. In addition
to the year-round, steady employment we generate in our farms and pack-houses, we are
active in sports, medical, infrastructure, environmental and educational activities in the
areas we operate. We are also proud of having pioneered the involvement of women
employees in several farm agricultural activities. For example, the all-woman harvesting
crew in El Muelle consistently ranks as one of the most productive and efficient crews on
the farm.
Appendix 1
Dole Presents Results of an Animal Monitoring Study Done at One of
Its Pineapple Farms in Costa Rica
Local scientists found several endangered species in the farm’s reserve
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. – September 21, 2010 – Dole Food Company, Inc.
(NYSE: DOLE) today announced that the Company completed an animal monitoring
study carried out at El Bosque, a Dole pineapple farm in Costa Rica, together with
scientists working with FUNDECOR, a Non-Governmental organization active in
protecting the natural resources of the Costa Rican central mountains. The study reveals
not only that wildlife has been preserved, compared to a baseline survey carried out in
2005, but also that several vulnerable species are being effectively protected in the forest
flanking the farm.
El Bosque is a Dole-owned pineapple plantation located in the province of Limón, Costa
Rica. The farm covers a surface of 1,400 hectares, 850 hectares are dedicated to
pineapple production and the rest is mostly protected forests.
The study was performed in July 2010 and focused on the use of infrared cameras to
gauge the presence of fauna on the forest-floor of the 80-hectare reserve at El Bosque. A
total of 11 mammal species from 11 different genus, 9 families and 5 orders were
registered by the cameras.
“This exploratory study revealed the presence of species that are highly vulnerable to
fragmentation, habitat destruction and hunting, such as the Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
and the Paca (Cuniculus paca), a forest-dwelling herbivore. This is evidence that the
surveillance and conservation practices implemented by Dole are effectively protecting
the forest”, stated German Obando, Director of Research and Technology at
FUNDECOR.
“As the survey confirmed, the forest at our El Bosque farm is fundamental to maintaining
and increasing several mammalian populations. The results illustrate that despite frequent
misconceptions about high-yield plantation agriculture, our Dole production practices
make it possible to co-exist with nature and produce in a truly sustainable way and in
harmony with nature”, said Richard Toman, Vice President Pineapple Operations for
Dole Latin America. Mr. Toman went on to add, “we are also pleased to announce that
we have commissioned two similar studies at our Zurqui banana plantation in Sarapiqui
and our Muelle & Ecopinas pineapple farms in San Carlos.”
The survey was commissioned during World Environment Day last June and was part of
a broader set of initiatives organized by Dole at banana and pineapple operations, not
only in Costa Rica but also in Honduras, Ecuador and Peru. These other initiatives
included the planting of 30,000 trees with community, schools, workers and their
children, the conduction of environmental awareness seminars for the children, the
collection of trash alongside rivers and roads, the presentation of recycling programs by
women leaders and the installation of bird feeders for hummingbirds and others.
ABOUT DOLE FOOD COMPANY
Dole, with 2009 net revenues of $6.8 billion, is the world’s largest producer and marketer
of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, and is the leading producer of organic
bananas and producer/shipper of organic pineapples. Dole markets a growing line of
packaged and frozen fruit and is a produce industry leader in nutrition education and
research.
ABOUT FUNDECOR
Founded in 1991, Fundecor is a non-governmental organization whose mission is to
protect the natural resources of the Costa Rican central mountains by using market-based
strategies and cutting edge research and development for the creation and improvement
of public policy under the principle that conservation and development should coexist in
harmony.