Day 241 - 26 Apr 96 - Page 34
1 "Over the past decade vast stretches of forest have been
2 destroyed to make way for cattle pastures and banana
3 plantations. In the remaining rainforest areas similar
4 dynamics are at play which we've described in Guatemala,
5 (rural poverty and landlessness, an influx of economic
6 refugees from Nicaragua and Panama, unsustainable forestry
7 practices, banana plantations, corporate tourism, et
8 cetera).
9
10 "The last thing Guatemala and Costa Rica needs are a
11 barrage of advertising from corporations such as McDonald's
12 or Burger King encouraging their citizens to adopt
13 'fast-food' lifestyles and eating habits. Central America
14 and the developing world in general do not need fast-food
15 restaurant chains nor a beef centred diet. What Guatemala
16 and Costa Rica need are (a) equitable land reform and
17 sustainable agricultural practices that result in food
18 self-sufficiency; (b) sustainable forestry and tourism
19 practices; (c) diets and lifestyles which are affordable
20 (only the middle and upper classes can really afford a Big
21 Mac) and which promote wellness and health.
22
23 "If McDonald's, Burger King and other fast-food giants are
24 sincere in wanting to preserve the environment in general,
25 and tropical rainforests in particular, they should
26 immediately call for (a) a ban on beef imports into North
27 America from Central America and a halt to foreign beef
28 imports in general (as the Rainforest Action Network and
29 others have called for); (b) a halt in the expansion of
30 North American style fast-food restaurants into the Third
31 World; (c) the promotion of sustainable, equitable,
32 environmentally friendly agricultural policies (both in the
33 North and in the South); and (d) a change in the menus
34 (healthier, less beef and meat centred, locally and
35 sustainably produced foods), advertising, marketing and
36 purchasing practices of their own and other multi-national
37 food corporations.
38
39 "To the best of my knowledge the above statements are true
40 and accurate. Sincerely, Ronald Cummins", with his
41 signature. That has not got a date.
42
43 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I have read the rest. Do you want to just
44 take that as read, what his qualifications are?
45
46 MR. MORRIS: Yes, I just say, just to summarise, he puts his
47 qualifications as five years of sustained travel and
48 research in Central America and author of various books and
49 articles.
50
51 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Very well. I have read those.
52
53 MR. MORRIS: Mr. Atkinson helpfully suggests it is July 26th
54 1993, I think.
55
56 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Yes, that is what appears on the second copy
57 which I have which has been faxed.
58
59 MR. MORRIS: Right. Yes, that is true. OK. If I can read
60 Douglas Shane's statement?
