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Chiquita & REWE Take First Step in New Biodiversity Partnership in Panama
Chiquita & REWE Take First Step in New Biodiversity Partnership in Panama
Published 07-13-09
Submitted by Chiquita Brands International, Inc.
ROLLE, Switzerland and COLOGNE, Germany, June 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chiquita and REWE, the German retailer, have announced the donation of 130 hectares (320 acres) of wetlands located in the San San Pond Sak nature reserve in Panama for the purpose of restoration of natural habitats.
The usage rights to the land, which were purchased with funds provided by REWE, were donated to the residents association AAMVECONA and in the future will be transferred to the national environment authority of Panama. Restoration of natural habitats will be completed with the support of REWE and Chiquita.
Dr. Martin Kussner, CFO REWE Supermarkets Germany, commented:
"The partnership of REWE and Chiquita is based on the principle that conservation of endangered habitats and species is only possible with the support and participation of the community."
The restoration of natural habitats on the donated land begins immediately with 9000 seeds of local species collected and germinated. The first trees were planted in June at the time of the visit by REWE and Chiquita representatives to the San San Pond Sak reserve, which is located in close proximity to Chiquita's banana farms in the Bocas Del Toro province of Panama. Local and international volunteers are currently monitoring the hatching season of leatherback sea turtles as well as the natural habitat for endangered manatees in the region. Volunteers including Chiquita employees have built a protected hatchery where 4500 turtle eggs have been relocated. By the end of April, the team counted 162 leatherback turtle nests on the Caribbean beaches of the reserve.
"Our partnership with REWE provides us with an opportunity to contribute to the rich biodiversity of the region and the well-being of local communities in Panama," said Michel Loeb, Chiquita's president of Europe and Middle East. "This cooperative effort, working together with REWE and officials in Panama, is another example of our long-term commitment to corporate responsibility."
The donation of wetlands follows the announcement early in 2009 of the partnership between Chiquita and REWE to initiate a multi-phase biodiversity conservation program in the San San Pond Sak nature preserve in Panama, a biosphere reserve designated by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for special environmental importance.
The partnership is dedicated to the sustainable protection of endangered habitats and species, with special focus on the mangrove forests, lagoons and beaches of the San San Pond Sak nature reserve. In collaboration with local, national and international environmental groups, the Chiquita / REWE partnership will also focus on improving living conditions and economic opportunities in the region and foster environmental awareness through programs in schools, communities and among Chiquita employees.
About Chiquita Brands International, Inc.
Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (NYSE: CQB) is a leading international marketer and distributor of high-quality fresh and value-added food products -- from energy-rich bananas and other fruits to nutritious blends of convenient green salads. The company markets its healthy, fresh products under the Chiquita(R) and Fresh Express(R) premium brands and other related trademarks. With annual revenues of nearly $4 billion, Chiquita employs approximately 23,000 people and has operations in more than 80 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit our web site at www.chiquita.com.
About REWE Group
Founded in Cologne in 1927, the REWE Group (REWE, toom, PENNY, toom BauMarkt, ProMarkt, ATLASREISEN, DER-Reiseburos, ITS, Dertour) is one of the leading trading and travel and tourism companies in Germany and Europe with a turnover of 50 billion euros, around 320,000 employees and about 15,000 stores. With a turnover approaching 12.4 billion euros and a staff of over 90,000, the 3,300 REWE stores and supermarkets managed by independent REWE traders contribute significantly to the success of the group. For more information, please visit our web site at www.rewe-group.com.
Chiquita Brands International, Inc.
