Business
Associated British Foods : Statement on Illovo Sugar Malawi
Associated British Foods : Statement on Illovo Sugar
About this update from Associated British Foods Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"Statement from Associated British Foods plc\n \"This legal claim, brought by the London law firm Leigh Day, seeks wrongly to blame ABF for a once-in-a-lifetime tropical storm that devastated communities across southern Africa, causing horrifying loss of life and damage to large areas of Malawi and neighbouring countries. A UN report identified that over one million hectares was flooded and over 12 million people affected.\n \n \n \"The loss of life, injury and damage to property in the village of Kanseche was hugely distressing for its people and their loved ones, as it was for many communities affected across the region. Illovo Sugar Malawi's estate was also flooded and communities on it were displaced. The reality is that these tragic events were caused by a widespread natural disaster and had nothing to do with Illovo Sugar Malawi's actions.\n \n \n \"Illovo Sugar Malawi is listed on the Malawian stock exchange, is part-owned by local shareholders, and is rooted in its communities. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, the company and its employees supported those communities with emergency aid and other assistance. The company has since also supported reconstruction projects in the region. Illovo Sugar Malawi has a long history of providing healthcare and education as well as other support to neighbours and to employees and their families.\n \n \n \"By contrast, Leigh Day has brought this unnecessary and ill-advised litigation in London so it can seek to benefit from London-level fees. Were there any substance to this claim, Malawi is the natural place for it to be heard. We note the statement by the Government of the Republic of Malawi on this matter.\n \n \n \"This litigation is also preventing the work needed to improve living conditions in Kanseche by hindering Illovo Sugar Malawi's ability to communicate with the villagers.\n \n \n \"This claim is totally without merit. ABF will vigorously defend it while Illovo Sugar Malawi will continue to support its local communities.\"\n \n \n For further information please contact:\n Citigate Dewe Rogerson\n Caroline Merrell\n Tel: 07852 210329\n \n \n Fact sheet on community work by Illovo Sugar Malawi\n \n \n Illovo Sugar Malawi has been an integral part of the communities within and around the Nchalo and Dwangwa sugar estates for many years. The company's work to support its...