Protesters Blocked Road between San Jose and Limon early this month in protest Chiquita, Dole, and Del Monte creating and ecological disasters Photo by Nacion
Having recently met with community and labor organizations in the Caribbean region of Costa Rica, we want to alert media about an upcoming standoff that has potential for violence on the one hand, and profound political change on the other. Organizations including ASADA and SITRAP are planning a blockade of access to and from the Caribbean ports on Wednesday, July 1.
The pineapple plantations of Chiquita, Dole, and Del Monte are creating and ecological disaster, in particular they are contaminating local water sources with Bromacil and other toxic chemicals. Local residents are suffering from increased cases of cancers and birth defects.
The community has been trying to address these issues for years, without an adequate response from the government. On June 1, 2009 there was an 8 hour blockade of the highway between San Jose and Limon. After agreeing to resolve these issues, the Ministry of Health has taken no action. Due to this lack of action, the communities are prepared to close the roads on July 1, effectively shutting down the country, and keep them closed indefinitely until there is a resolution.
We are calling on you because historically, the Costa Rican media has avoided covering these issues. For instance, the June 1 blockade was reported in Costa Rica only after it was covered in other countries.
Article submitted to Tico Times Directory/Blog by Mindi Torrey
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6.7.09 – Nacion Article on the Blocked road in Limón
About 400 workers at the farm La Piñera Babylon yesterday blocked the road at the height of Limón Pocora Guácimo.
They claim that there is the possibility of losing jobs if the Environmental Court orders to close the operations of the farm.
The blockade began at 6:30 a. m. and finally to 1 p. m.
Last May, the Environmental Court ordered the closure of the packing plant of the pineapple for Agricultural Development Corporation Del Monte S. A., but not the farm Babylon.
According to the judges, a high incidence of bromacil and other agricultural chemicals in the wastewater discharged into the rivers and headwaters that supply nearby towns, so ask for a treatment plant.
Yesterday, José Lino Chaves, president of the Court reported that still has not issued any order involving the property.
I think that the blockade was for the right cause, especially when you consider all the local animals in the area. The Bromacil contamination doesn’t just affect the people, it also affects the animals as well. It’s a threat to them as much as it is for us, in fact it’s especially dangerous for the water-dwelling creatures that swim around in it and live off it. It’ll get the animals sick. And think about this one; if it’s an animal hunted down for food, it’ll get the consumer sick too. Everybody should know this, all life requires water as a major part of their survival. If there’s something wrong with the water, the problem will spread elsewhere creating more problems in another area. It’ll become a bigger problem.