Update: PETA labeled Prao Hom Monkey Labor Free!
A few weeks back, many European stores removed Thai coconut products from their shelves because of a monkey abuse allegation by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Their investigation revealed that monkeys in Thailand are being kept chained, abusively trained and forced to climb trees to pick coconuts. However, not all coconut product manufacturers operate this way.
Coconut farmers see their sales drop
A complete ban of all Thai coconut products in the European market might be a too extreme measure, as many coconut farms work without monkey labor. Coconut farmers and coconut product manufacturers see their sales drop and are dealing with great losses. Many of these farmers don’t use monkey labor when harvesting their coconuts and are their fore being unfairly punished for the wrongdoing of others.
Prao Hom is Monkey Labor Free
The practice of using and abusing monkeys to pick coconuts is unethical, is the opinion of Smith Wattanaporn, CEO of Suree Interfoods and manufacturer of Prao Hom coconut milk. “Using monkeys to harvest coconuts is wrong and, just as any other form of animal cruelty, should never take place”, he wrote to PETA. Since its founding in 2016, Prao Hom decided to make a real difference in the coconut industry. By setting clear rules for their suppliers and having an open conversation with animal rights groups, Prao Hom creates a product that is pure, honest, and right. PETA sees this too, which is why they included Suree Interfoods a list of brands that don’t support monkey labor, which includes Suree Foods, the manufacturer of Prao Hom.
Finding a solution
If banning Thai coconut products from the market isn’t the solution, then what is? Mr. Wattanaporn urged PETA to help him find a fitting solution. One part of the solution is building awareness amongst customers about the issue. Another solution Mr Wattanaporn proposed is to create some kind of certification process to make sure manufactures maintain a monkey free way of practice. Even though such a solution has not been realized yet, Prao Hom works hard to make sure their product is 100% monkey labor free.
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