
Dole Announces that it will Discontinue the Use of Paraquat in its Agricultural Operations
Update to October 8, 2007 press release (effective November 20, 2012)WESTLAKE VILLAGE, California â - October 8, 2007 Dole announced today that it is discontinuing the use of paraquat in its agricultural operations worldwide, by implementing an immediate phase-out program except in Costa Rica for Doleâs pineapple operations where the targeted phase-out program extends to June 30, 2008. During the Costa Rica phase-out program, Dole will continue its practice of applying paraquat-containing herbicides only through mechanized equipment such as boom spray devices under supervised conditions.âDoleâs implementation of this phase-out program responds to developing marketplace conditions in Europe and elsewhere regarding the use of this herbicide, while also balancing needed compliance with the local regulatory requirements.â stated David DeLorenzo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dole Food Company, Inc.Dole Food Company, Inc., with 2006 revenues of $6.2 billion, is the worldâs largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and fresh-cut flowers. Dole markets a growing line of packaged foods and frozen fruit and is a produce industry leader in nutrition education and research.This release contains âforward-looking statements,â within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements, which are based on managementâs current expectations, are generally identifiable by the use of terms such as âmay,â âwill,â âexpects,â âbelieves,â âintendsâ and similar expressions. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied herein include weather-related phenomena; market responses to industry volume pressures; product and raw materials supplies and pricing; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; economic crises and security risks in developing countries; international conflict; and quotas, tariffs and other governmental actions. Further information on the factors that could affect Doleâs financial results is included in its SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K.Dole Food Company, Inc.Update to October 8, 2007 press release (effective November 20, 2012)The Costa Rican government requires growers to take measures to control stable fly infestations. Stable flies are drawn to the moist leaves and other residue left after pineapple harvest, and use of paraquat to dry this residue helps to control these infestations. Since the June 2008 phase-out date referenced above, Dole has worked with its independent pineapple growers in Costa Rica to develop suitable alternatives to paraquat. Notwithstanding these efforts, paraquat, which works as a desiccant for the leaves and stumps remaining after pineapple is harvested, remains for our independent growers in Costa Rica the most effective desiccant available to them and is necessary to keep their planting programs sustainable and timely. Therefore, effective November 2012, Dole will now permit paraquat use for those Costa Rican growers who require it to help control stable fly infestations and to achieve sustainable production for their pineapple operations provided that any application of paraquat by such growers is done via mechanized equipment (such as boom spray devices) with proper protection attire and worker safety procedures followed.Related posts: