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Banana drama
Greetings dear readers, I just returned from my trip to the 1st Social Forum in Germany, which was held in Erfurt. Not many people actually bothered to go there, around 3000, but many organisation were present and one was able to choose from over 200 workshops.
In the end it was an interesting experience. Of course I am not returning empty handed, but with a bag full of interesting topics and infos. At least some of those I want to share with you guys.
Let's kick it off with the banana trade.
banana drama 
The banana industry is being dominated by the 'dollar' banana companies of Chiquita, Dole and Del Monte - transnationals based in the US but operating around the globe.
Well, that's no secret. And just like most MNCs Chiquita, Dole and Del Monte have a great criminal record they can be proud of.
The criminal records of all three of them include:
~ Sacking/punishing/intimidating workers that try to get organised or join something like a union.
~ Paying farmers and workers miserable wages.
~ Forcing workers to work under miserable working conditions; e.g. workers are commonly poisoned by pesticides.
~ Hiring death squads (aka 'security forces') to fight local activists. Read this for a recent example. (Similar to the techniques implemented by the Coca-Cola empire.)
~ Sponsoring the White House - one can just wonder what they get in return.
~ Being responsible for environmental contamination due to the use of highly toxic pesticides. In this regard the tropical ecosystem is particularly vulnerable.
What is really needed is the introduction of codes of conducts monitored by independent organisations, guaranteeing minimum standards relating to working hours, wages and health and safety.
We as consumers should make sure that we support companies that treat their workers respectfully. And currently the only way to do so is to buy fair trade bananas. In the Netherlands and Switzerland these have been a great success, gaining as much as 15% of the market. (Fair trade Labelling Organisation International, September 1999). The Fairtrade Foundation recommends that concerned consumers speak to their local supermarkets to show them that there is sufficient demand to make fair trade bananas viable. Well, makes sense to me.
Since the 1960s, companies have been increasingly growing varieties of banana that, though having high yields, are markedly more susceptible to pests and diseases. This leaves the industry heavily dependent on chemicals which are used throughout the growing process, before and after harvesting and in packing plants to preserve the fruit in transit. A mark of this is the fact that the average pesticide usage in industrialised countries is 2.7kg/hectare, yet within the Costa Rican banana industry that figure is 44kg/hectare. Pesticide residues have been detected in river beds surrounding plantations, and fish kills have been attributed to the excessive use of chemicals. (Organic Bananas from Brazil, Baby Organics, June 1998)
Poor enforcement of health and safety standards can lead to workers being forced to use pesticides without the necessary training, and in some cases using chemicals banned in the 'North' (Operation Enduring Freedom should be shifted to Costa Rica and free the farmers/workers and the environment from Chiquita, Del Monte & Dole instead. $ucker$!). Aerial spraying can occur up to fifty times a year; often with workers still present on the ground. (Earth Island Journal, November 1998)
In Costa Rica during 1997, half of all work-related accidents occurred on banana plantations - mostly due to pesticide poisoning. (Ministry of Health Costa Rica)
Eventually the banana ends up in our shopping basket and there is evidence that pesticides end up there too. In a 1996 sample, 25% of bananas tested contained multiple pesticide residues. Usage appears to be increasing - another 1996 study showed that 80% of bananas tested had three times the average residue levels found in 1993. (Organic Bananas from Brazil, Baby Organics, June 1998)
There are Organic Bananas available on the market, which shows that alternatives are available and that you don't need to contaminate the environment just so that caucasians get to eat some bananas as well.
It is worth mentioning that the Del Monte banana business is a totally separate company from the tinned fruit and fruit juice business. Fresh Del Monte Food Co Inc is now owned 20% by the Mexican state and 80% by the IAT Group which is based in Santiago de Chile. Share capital is held in the United Arab Emirates, corporate headquarters is in Miami and the accounts are done from Monte Carlo. According to Friends of the Earth, Del Monte's use of pesticides on Costa Rican banana plantations has led to the local population suffering, either directly or indirectly, serious health problems. Elsewhere in Costa Rica, workers were forced to used DBCP - a pesticide banned in most parts of the world, including the U.S. of A. (since 1979).
The World Development Movement reported on a dispute in the Philippines in 1998 when co-operatives producing bananas for Dole went on strike, because the company was paying them less than the cost of production. The dispute ended in violence, with pickets being intimidated and even attacked by armed company guards, police and infantry. (WDM in Action, October 1998)
Apparently the campaign group, Banana Link recommends Windward bananas as the best ethical option on the UK market.
For me personally BanaFair presents the best alternative. They offer bananas that are certified to be fairly traded and organic at the same time. What more could you ask for?!
We need increasing consumer awareness to push those criminals off the market. Can you help?
Btw, workers poisoned by pesticides is very common in Asia as well. To find out more check out this article by ToxicsLink.Org.
If you search the homepage by the BBC, you'll also stubble upon a few articles articulating what devastating effects the use of pesticides can have on the 'small people'. Usually it's the villagers fighting against the industry. For an example you can read this article: Indian children in presticide controversy
For more deep insights into the whole banana business:
What Chiquita does not want you to know!
And just like the author at the end of this site says:
If you are not outraged, you are not paying attention!
~peace~
