Second claim against fertiliser producer

A Moneyweb report says the latest scandal involves Eastern Cape pineapples that were grown using fertiliser supplied by Protea Chemicals. The fertiliser, zinc sulphate, was allegedly contaminated with cadmium, a toxic heavy metal. This is not the first time Protea has been accused of selling contaminated zinc, notes the report. Rainbow Chickens has a claim against Protea that runs into tens of millions of rands. Protea is now accused of selling the same contaminated zinc to pineapple producers months after the Rainbow Chickens case. Allen Duncan, chairperson of the Pineapple Association in East London, says pineapple farmers were purchasing the contaminated product as late as November last year, long after the Rainbow scandal broke in 2005. Full Moneyweb report

In other environmental news, the government inquiry into the poisoning of several workers at Assmang\'s ferro-manganese factory in Cato Ridge, near Durban, took a surprise turn yesterday (Monday) when the company and workers asked for a three-month pause to negotiate better injury compensation payouts and safety measures. This is one of a wide menu of reports in the latest issue of Legalbrief Environmental. The newsletter also examines SA’s growing nuclear waste problem, the recently-released State of the Environment Report 2006 and the new anti-pollution law. Legalbrief Environmental is delivered to subscribers every Tuesday morning and focuses on environmental law and justice, development law and general news relating to the environment. It is a must-have for specialists in environmental, conservation and developmental work. Discounted package subscription rates will apply to existing Legalbrief subscribers. to register for a free month’s trial subscription.