A guideline was issued prohibiting the planting of pineapple, banana, rice, grasses, oil palm and other monocultures in forest reserves, buffer zones, national parks, biological reserves, national wildlife refuges, wetlands and natural monuments.
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
According to Directive No. 0006-2020 of June 26 issued by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (Minae), it exempts forestry plantations from the prohibitions contained in the document.
Nacion.com reviews that "... the document orders any Minae agency and bodies under its management to refrain from promoting any type of conciliation or other alternative dispute resolution measure in the case of criminal or administrative proceedings, when the crimes or misdemeanors are linked to monocultures resulting from such activity."
Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, head of the Minae, explained that "... This directive seeks to stop any authorization, permit, license or environmental viability of this type of activity in protected areas. In these areas, when it is private property, agricultural activities that are low impact are allowed, but monocultures are of intensive use of area, water and chemicals and that is incompatible with the purpose of our productive wild areas."
Pineapple producers are one of the sectors that must adhere to these regulations and according to official estimates, the area planted with this fruit in Costa Rica is around 66,000 hectares.
President Alvarado signed the law that prohibits the importation, commercialization and delivery of expanded polyethylene containers, better known as styrofoam, in any commercial establishment.
The prohibition shall become effective twenty-four months after the entry into force of the Law, which shall be subsequent to its publication in the official newspaper La Gaceta.
Despite the fact that the Costa Rican pineapple sector has faced complaints of alleged environmental damage, sales abroad have continued to grow, and it remains the number two export product.
Between 2016 and 2017 Costa Rican exports of fruit increased from $905 million to $970 million, which represents an increase of 7%.This rise has occurred in the context of environmental and social complaints, due to the use of agrochemicals and their respective implications.
A provisional ruling by the Supreme Court of Justice of Costa Rica has overturned a city ordinance banning the cultivation of pineapple, which aimed to prevent the activity's environmental impact.
Nacion.com reports that "The Fourth Chamber has ruled in favor of an appeal filed by the National Chamber of Pineapple Producers and Exporters (Canapep) against the decision of the Municipality of Pococí declaring a moratorium on the planting of this fruit in the territory of this canton. The ruling overturned the municipal agreement, taken on March 12, 2012, thereby reopening pineapple cultivation in Guápiles and its surrounding areas "
The project aims to relieve the negative environmental and social impact of pineapple production in Costa Rica, while increasing its positive impact and distribution.
The objective of the project "National Platform of Production and Commerce of Pineapples in Costa Rica" is to generate a model and a strategy of responsible production and trade of pineapples, managed and supported by the active participation of all sectors and institutions involved.
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