Fruit fraud allegations come to naught

THE HEAT of last year's allegations of fraudulent practices in the fruit export industry now seems to have faded to a mere glimmer, according to Valdy Jensen, vice-chairman of the Fresh Produce Exporters Forum (FPEF).
"Given the lack of factual support," he said, "it is possible that these rumours emanated from parties with a grudge against others.
"Our concern was that it was a witch hunt being instigated with no consideration being given to the damage caused to the industry as a whole."
Despite requests going out from the grower associations for producers to table any grievances they might have had, nothing solid was received.
"We have now come up with some conflict, going back to 1998," said forum c.e.o. Stuart Symington. "However, this was the first year of deregulation, and grievances were to be expected.
"However, investigations have now revealed that criminal prosecution is not a realistic option."
The industry associations have also now agreed that a conciliatory process is required. This, according to Symington, where cases will be mediated by a third party outside of any court of law and within the confines of the industry.
But, he added, "it is now 2002, and we are all moving on and learning from mistakes made in the past. The industry role-players are wiser and more professionally organised."
Part of this, according to Symington, can be found in the recently implemented code of ethics which "is serving as an important guiding light to the industry," he added.
"There is no value in harping on the past any longer," Symington said. "The past has been a tough teacher. Instead, the industry is lifting its game to meet the exciting challenges of the future."