Costa Rica partially suspends three pineapple operations
Costa Rican authorities have partially suspended three pineapple operations in the north of the country due to violations of environmental regulations. 
A release from the country's Environment Ministry (MINAE) said the National Environmental Technical Secretariat (SETENA) had given the order as the farms were causing environmental damage, particularly through the polluting of rivers, lagoons and wetlands with sediment.
The affected operations are La Guaria, La Azucena, and Oficinas Administrativas y Taller de Mantenimiento el Concho.
SETENA said recent inspections of the farms had found problems at all three, including the failure to communicate when work activities had begun and the pollution of nearby bodies of water.
In addition, the inspectors found not only that the operations did not have permission from the Health Ministry, but also that farmers had performed a series of actions to prepare the lands “months before SETENA had granted them the environmental feasibility permits" for pineapple production.
SETENA's order also warned that farmers cannot carry out operations that might have an effect on nearby wetlands, lagoons or protected areas.
"Otherwise, operations will be completely suspended and the environmental feasibility permits will be revoked," it said.
The Environment Ministry said inspectors would keep visiting other pineapple farms in the area to verify they all had the required legal permits.
The decision comes days after protesters marched in the capital San José in May, criticizing the government for issuing excessive permits including that for a project owned by Del Monte.
Shortly after, authorities ordered the suspension of Del Monte subsidiary Pindeco’s ‘Osa’ pineapple project due to its proximity to protected archeological sites.
That same week, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock had issued a decree prohibiting the use of the herbicide bromacil with a six-month grace period.
Related stories: Costa Rica orders suspension of Del Monte pineapple project
Costa Rica: UNESCO urged to protect area from Del Monte pineapple operations
Photo: www.shutterstock.com
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