Betr.: Palmöl
In der Sendung Report Mainz am 22. März 2010 wurden gegen den kolumbianischen BIO-Palmöl Produzenten DAABON ernste Vorwürfe erhoben. An dieser Stelle eine Stellungnahme der Firma und einige PDF-Dateien in denen ausführlicher auf alles eingegangen wird.
To whom it may concern
Santa Marta, 10th of March 2010
REF. Las Pavas Case
In 2004, a consortium consisting of CI San Isidro (not connected to the DAABON Group) and DAABON subsidiary CI Tequendama looked to acquire five tracts of land totalling 1800 hectares of land in the Southern Bolivar region, including the Las Pavas Ranch of 1127 hectares. The region has previously been rife with conflict due to paramilitary activity, and in line with its mission, CI Tequendama wished to offer local communities opportunities for better living standards and development.
The plan was to establish a palm oil plantation and a palm oil mill with support for local smallholders to develop good agricultural practices. This model has successfully been implemented by CI Tequendama in the Magdalena region, where 200 families are organised in co-operatives are now supplying to the CI Tequendama mill. In addition to technical and credit support, these farmers and surrounding communities are also enjoying access to a range of facilities, including schools, electricity and potable water, which was not previously available.
In January 2009 a group of families residing in the region around Las Pavas claimed the right to the land acquired by the consortium in 2007, which they say they had inhabited and used previously.
DAABON group has been main target of the campaigns on the case due to the fact that one of is subsidiary is a shareholder of the project. I would like to reassure you that DAABON has been committed to solving the case of Las Pavas Ranch, we are respectful of the legal proceedings as well as the ethics and social aspects of the dispute and we have been working together with the Consortium El Labrador toward solving it.
Today we can confirm that there are solid progress toward solving the conflict, the INCODER has officially confirmed that the Consortium el Labrador is the legal owner of the land. Both the community and the Consortium have joined a process, part of it is the engagement of a group of independent consultants to evaluate the conflict and identify ways forward; this study is cofounded by Christian Aid (one of the first NGO that raised concern on the case). WE have also managed to engage with the community and its representative, as well as the NGO Christian Aid. Unfortunately there has not been progress with Christian Peace Makers we have done several attempts but they only see as an acceptable outcome of the conflict the devolution of the land to the peasants and they miss regard the legality aspects of the case or any attempts to join a process towards solving the conflict.
I am attaching following documents:
PAVAS Summary.pdf: This document aims to show a general overview of the questions usually generated by stakeholders on the Pavas Case and frame the reader in a chronological setting in regards to the facts and main waypoints of the process. It is structured in 3 main chapter/blocks: 1. Refers to the chronological recount mentioned, 2. a description of the activities carried out by DAABON to solve the frictions, and 3. Stakeholders questions and answers.
Enalaza report.pdf: This is a report developed by the NGO Enlaza www.enlazacolombia.org, this describes the social, economic and institutional aspects of the South of Bolivar where the Las Pavas Ranch is located. Unfortunately only the executive summary is available in English, but I am also attaching the Spanish version in case members of your team speak Spanish.
Statement 9. March 2010.pdf Latest Press Release March 2010.pdf
Cambio Facts.pdf Explanation to each of the facts of the Cambio Magazine ‘s article published in October 2009.
Stellungnahme der Daabon Gruppe.pdf
Best Regards,
Felipe Guerrero-Zuniga
Sustainability Manager
C.I. Tequendama S.A.