Morrisons and Iceland ditch pineapples from Kenyan farm over human rights abuses

28 June 2024 , 08:26

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Allegations of brutal violence by Del Monte guards at the farm in Thika were revealed in an investigation (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Morrisons and Iceland supermarkets have ceased sourcing tinned pineapples from a Del Monte plantation in Kenya amid ongoing human rights abuse accusations.

Last year, revelations of violence and killings committed by the farm's guards in Thika were uncovered in an investigative report. Following this exposure by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) and The Guardian, four major supermarkets - Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, and Waitrose - stopped selling pineapple products derived from the farm.

But violence has continued on the farm over the last year. In December, four men were found dead at a river near the farm, and calls for action heightened after bystanders were struck by stray bullets during conflicts between police and local youth, according to recent findings by the TBIJ.

Responding to criticism for still featuring products from the farm, Morrisons declared on Thursday: "We are moving tinned pineapple sourcing out of Kenya until Del Monte's human rights improvement plan has been fully implemented." Similarly, Iceland, which faced backlash for continuing sale of the contentious goods, verified that these items are no longer part of their offering.

An Iceland spokesperson said: "We can confirm that Iceland does not stock products from the farms in question." Aine Clarke, of the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, a non-profit committed to advancing human rights in business, said: "It is crucial for companies to demonstrate that they have engaged in a dialogue with any stakeholders reportedly affected by allegations of abuse."

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In May, some witnesses reported to TBIJ about pineapple thieves being chased from the farm by G4S's guards into highways and nearby villages. The police allegedly supported this action by firing at them and detonating tear gas. Earlier in March, Del Monte revealed its decision to hand over security operations management to G4S, resulting in 214 in-house security staff losing their jobs.

Meanwhile, G4S Kenya countered that their guards never carry weapons and claimed they had undergone extensive training in methods including de-escalation techniques and minimal use of force, while respecting human rights. "Our security officers are stationed at the farm only and have no involvement in activity that may occur outside its boundaries." Del Monte is yet to respond to request for comment.

Lawrence Matheson