PRESS RELEASE (r)

[sain@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

SOUTHEAST ASIAN INFORMATION NETWORK
(SAIN)


PRESS RELEASE
JUNE 9, 1997

EUROPEAN COMPANIES INVOLVED IN  SELLING POISON TO BURMA

According to information received by the Southeast Asian Information Network
(SAIN), from the Asia Pacific Environmental Exchange (APEX), Denmark's East
Asiatic Company (EAC), and the Zenaca group of the United Kingdom, are
manufacturing and selling a lethal pesticide Paraquat to the State Law and
Order Restoration Council (SLORC), the military regime currently ruling
Burma. Paraquat has been banned in Denmark and many other countries due to
its extremely high toxicity.

Paraquat is manufactured in Thailand by Zenaca Agro Asiatic Ltd which is
owned by EAC Thailand whose share is 49% and Zeneca UK (51%).  EAC Thailand
is owned by EAC Denmark whose shares in part are made from Danish pension
funds and foundations.

The Southeast Asian manager for Zeneca, Mr. Chatree Pitakpaivan is at
present visiting Burma following up a previous sale of 10,000 litres of
Paraquat earlier this year to the SLORC that are supposed to be used for
field tests in 1997.  SAIN has learnt that this current visit is to promote
an intensification of trade in Paraquat to Burma.

Paraquat is extremely toxic to humans and is often lethal unless used with
the utmost precautions and proper safety equipment. Chemical companies such
as EAC and Zeneca are pushing their products to countries in the south where
workers rights protection and training are minimal,  thus resulting in
sicknesses and in some cases death.  Paraquat is considered one of the dirty
dozen pesticides targeted for a global ban by the International Pesticide
Action Network.  It has already been banned in 9 countries including Denmark
as it is responsible for the poisoning of thousands of farmers every year.

"This is the lowest form of business,  to export to others the poisons you
have outlawed at home and to a brutal military regime" said Faith Doherty
from the Southeast Asian Information Network (SAIN).

"In the case of Burma where the country is ruled through the barrel of a gun
and the right to free speech and the demand for workers rights are responded
by arrest, torture imprisonment and death, the selling of this product to be
used by Burmese sprayers is doubly criminal".

The company's involved say safety training is given before the use of
Paraquat.  However, according to many countries such as Malaysia where a
1985 Department of Agriculture survey found that only 11% of workers
interviewed had been trained before handling Paraquat, and in Thailand where
sprayers are also not protected, the company's assurances are no more than
public relations rhetoric.

"There are no mechanisms used in Burma to ensure workers health and safety"
said Doherty.  "It does not matter what assurances are given.  It is certain
that the pesticide will be used by local people through the orders of local
military authorities.  Information about the pesticide, safety and care will
not be distributed to the people.  This substance is lethal no matter where
it is used, in Burma the sale of Paraquat amounts to aiding and abetting
more suffering and death for the farmers of Burma".


In an attempt to reverse the ban in Denmark, Zeneca is apparently lobbying
to have all countries in the European Union approve Paraquat which could
create a crisis in agreements related to environmental co-operation on
chemicals within the European Union.  With Zeneca responsible for producing
80% of the world market for Paraquat reversing any ban on the pesticide will
only encourage further use of this lethal substance.

In late May, the Danish newspaper Politiken exposed EAC and Zeneca's
involvement in the selling of Paraquat to both Thailand and Burma.  In
Interviews published on June 3-4,  the director of EAC Denmark Mr.Fiorini
admitted to Politiken that EAC cannot control the use of pesticides in
remote rural districts.  With the respect to the selling of Paraquat to
Burma, Mr.Fiorini responded:

"We are convinced that Paraquat does more good than bad for the rural
population of Thailand, and therefore it is also a good product for the
farmers in Burma.  It is wrong to boycott Burma.  Through economic
co-operation we can create the foundation for a middle class which can lead
to political liberalisation."

"It makes no difference for the export of Paraquat whether the country is
ruled by a military government or a democratic government.  The important
thing is whether the government can ensure appropriate education of the
farmers for the correct management of pesticide".

Mr.Fiorini is obviously unaware of the fact that the SLORC cannot provide
basic education in the country with schools and universities closed since
December of last year, let alone allow education on health and safety for
the rural community" said Doherty"

"It will not be the middle classes in Burma exposed to Paraquat but local
people ordered to do so by a military that implements their instructions
through the barrel of a gun. The global community cannot allow the
continuation of this investment with the Generals of Burma.  We call on the
Danish and British communities in their countries to use their democratic
rights to stop the selling of Paraquat to the South,  and their countries
investments in Burma" concluded Doherty.

For more information please contact:

Faith Doherty (SAIN) 
tel: 66 53 278549  // email:sain @cm.ksc.co.th