Danish controlled United Plantations in Malaysia is exposing its palm plantation workers to pesticides, including paraquat, which in even small doses can lead to toxic reactions.

Paraquat has been banned in the European Union for several years.

Kendelse fra Pressenævnet:Genmæle fra United Plantations

Labourers that Politiken has spoken to in Malaysia say that many of them suffer from rashes, breathing difficulties and nail problems, which are classical symptoms of toxic reactions, as well as a lack of medical help and unsuitable protection equipment.

United Plantations owns large tracts of palm tree plantations in Malaysia, with some of its palm oil ending up with major producers such as Nestlé, Kraft, Mars and Arla as well as in other non-food products such as soaps and cosmetics.

“We are afraid that the pesticide sprays make us ill,” says one of some 20 labourers Politiken met at United Plantations, but who spoke on condition of remaining anonymous for fear of his job.

Local doctor
Many of the labourers seek help from local doctor Ravindran R. Naidu in a small town close to the United Plantations headquarters. Workers come, according to Dr. Naidu, as United Plantations is not prepared to pay for treatment.

“I would think that on average I get between five and ten workers per month from United Plantations who show signs of toxic reactions to pesticide sprays,” Dr. Naidu says.

Earlier this year, the Malaysian grass roots organisation Tenaganita issued a report documenting that many plantation workers suffer from rashes and breathing difficulties. The report has prompted one of Denmark’s leading pesticide experts to criticise conditions at United Plantations.

“In general, worker reports of symptoms seem to show that there are working condition problems in which workers are exposed to pesticides,” says Copenhagen University Institute for International Health Prof. Flemming Konradsen, adding that he finds the reports ‘disturbing’.

United Plantations under pressure
The United Plantations Danish Vice Chairman & Executive Director Carl Bek-Nielsen has declined to comment on the Politiken report, but has previously defended the use of paraquat. After Politiken contacted Nestlé and Kraft recently, however, he issued a news release in which he said that after being approached by some key customers, United Plantations had decided to stop using paraquat from the New Year.

More pesticides
According to plantation workers, however, United Plantation uses many other pesticides – probably also monocrotophos – an organophosphate insecticide that is highly toxic to birds and humans and has been banned in many countries. It is generally only used as a trunk injection on coconut and oil palms.

United Plantations has declined to confirm or deny its use.

Both Arla and Kraft have confirmed that they receive supplies of processed palm oil from the AarhusKarlshamn company, which is partly owned by United Plantations. Both have now requested explanations and are to re-evaluate whether to receive palm oil from AarhusKarlshamn.

“We neither can nor will have subcontractors who do not provide decent working conditions for their employees,” says Kraft Communications Manager Kjersti Oppen.

Arla Foods has reacted in the same way.

“We will immediately take up the issue with AarhusKarlshamn, ask for an explanation and demand that they take control of conditions in the plantations,” says Arla Working Environment Manager Ulla Nilsson.

Neither Nestlé nor Mars, both of whom profess to having strict ethical policies, have been willing to comment. Nestlé says it does not wish to comment on ‘commercial relations’ while Mars says it will not comment on what are seen as allegations, adding that United Plantations has promised to stop using paraquat.