Watch out China....Thai Monkeys are coming for your cheap labor industry.

"Don't expect to find coconut milk on Costco shelves on your next shopping trip.

The Issaquah, Washington-based wholesale club is the latest retailer pledging not to stock coconut products from Thai suppliers who have been accused of using monkeys as forced labor.

“We have ceased purchasing from our supplier/owner of the brand Chaokoh,” Kimble wrote in the letter dated Sept. 29. “We will continue to monitor the implementation of the harvest policies and once satisfied will resume purchasing.”

Costco also reportedly pulled Palmetto Cheese after the cheese company's founder called Black Lives Matter a "terror organization."

In the letter, Kimble said Costco shared Newkirk’s “concern about the alleged treatment of monkeys” and launched an investigation when it became aware of the potential issue.

“We have made it clear to the supplier that we do not support the use of monkeys for harvesting and that all harvesting must be done by human labor,” Kimble wrote. “In turn, our supplier has contractually required the same of all its suppliers. In addition, our supplier is in the process of visiting every one of its supplier farms to communicate the harvest policies.”

The Thailand-based maker of Chaokoh coconut milk, Theppadungporn Coconut Co. Ltd, told USA TODAY that it has audited coconut plantations using a third party and shared a copy of the 14-page “Monkey-Free Coconut Due Diligence Assessment.” The report says 64 farms out of 817 were randomly selected and "did not find the use of monkey for coconut harvesting."

"Following the recent news about the use of “monkey labour” in Thailand’s coconut industry, Chaokoh, one of the world’s leaders in coconut milk production, reassures that we do not engage the use of monkey labour in our coconut plantations," the company said in a statement, which noted its suppliers have signed memorandums of understanding that no monkey labor at their farms.

Two Chaokoh products were listed on Costco's Business Center website but not the regular Costco website Tuesday. The brand also was listed for sale on Target, Walmart and Kroger's websites.

Walmart, Target and Kroger did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

PETA has been pushing stores to stop selling coconut milk believed to have been made with coconuts harvested by monkeys since it began investigating the alleged animal exploitation in 2019.

Kent Stein, PETA's corporate responsibility officer, said the investigation found that the monkeys can pick around 400 coconuts a day while on chains. They are then confined to cages.
“Just because something is legal or accepted it doesn’t mean it’s OK,” Stein said, adding the Tourism Authority of Thailand website promotes monkey labor. “What really drives this change is retailers not supporting the product, and of course, customers not buying the product. Costco being a major player should have an impact.”

Has anyone explored whether or not chickens feel comfortable laying eggs for human consumption?

I'm sure there are plenty of places in the world where horses or oxen or whatever still play an important role in tilling/preparing soil for gardening. Do they have a benefits plan?

I know most farmers with exception of maybe the Amish use equipment now, but it hasn't been that many years ago crops was tended with animals in this country. Dad is gone now or I would ask him the years, but he talked about Grandpa getting the first thrashing machine in this area. That thrashing machine was pulled to the field with mules as I remember the story. It was later that Grandpa got his first tractor. I suppose they will want us to quit using dogs to fetch or locate game next. SMH

“Monkey-Free Coconut Due Diligence Assessment.” The report says 64 farms out of 817 were randomly selected and "did not find the use of monkey for coconut harvesting."

Not something a guy sees everyday

I watched a youtube video this morning about this and I found many similarities between these monkeys working and watching a gun dog working.

I see no problem with it

Gives them focus and purpose

Monkey Jobs Matter.

I applaud those monkeys that get up and go to work. My lazy Labrador just lays around all day expecting me to support him.

if there is no more work for the monkeys they will probably just eat them .

I won't post it but Dave Chappelle had a hilarious bit on trained monkeys.

Word.

They have no problem importing Chinese junk from a country that has reeducation camps, but save the monkeys. Typical animals before humans.

They would probably just release them which could contribute more to the occasional monkey "riots" that happen in south Asia.

The artical talkes about monkeys where dose the BLM part become relevant? Unless they were indirectly making a racist comment- connection.

If we look with open eyes even we can make something out of nothing just like the left.

With the caveat of course that they should at least have the right to vote.

If monkeys can be trained to do work like this, perhaps there is hope for us out-of-work trappers.....?!!!!

Pete

The difference is monkeys can't find a good wife that holds down 2 jobs

I've spent some time in Thailand and there is a lot to see. But I never saw anything that had to do with ..........Theppadungporn..........Thank God !!!!!!!

The...dung porn?

Think I'll watch something else today....

Jack

I think that is the Asian version of Debbie Does New Delhi

Because it struck me as mildly amusing.