Press release - September 25, 2014
25th September, New Delhi/Ahmedabad: In an encouraging turn of events, Wagh Bakri, the third largest packaged tea company in India has committed to support elimination of pesticides in tea cultivation, after continuous engagement with Greenpeace [1].
Greenpeace India had released its report "Trouble Brewing" [2] highlighting pesticide residues in tea samples and has been engaging with the tea companies on the issue. Hindustan Unilever Ltd [3] and Girnar Tea [4] have already announced their commitment to support the ecosystem based approach and gradual phase out of pesticides, since the launch of the Greenpeace study.
"Wagh Bakri has set a precedent for other Indian tea companies to do the right thing for the consumer, growers and the environment. We now urge the remaining tea companies, including Tata Global Beverages Ltd, to follow suit and commit to clean chai for their consumers," said Neha Saigal, Senior Campaigner, Greenpeace India.
Wagh Bakri has committed to invest in pilots, along with other stakeholders to facilitate the development and evaluation of non chemical crop protection management with an approach of holistic rejuvenation of the ecosystem. This initiative has the potential to lay a firm foundation for the industry, regulatory authorities and tea growers to further develop a clear roadmap at the end of the pilots for achieving sustainable crop practices and livelihood in tea cultivation.
Since the launch of the Greenpeace report, over 40,000 people across India have supported the campaign and signed the petition urging the tea companies to clean chai now.
"With a huge export market Wagh Bakri's commitment of an ecological approach will only help the reputation of Indian teas overseas and help India move towards global leadership," Saigal added further.
Notes to the editor:
1) Wagh Bakri Tea has shared its statement with Greenpeace in an email response: http://www.greenpeace.org/india/Global/india/image/2014/cocktail/download/WaghBakriStatement.pdf
2) http://www.greenpeace.org/india/en/Press/Greenpeace-calls-on-the-industry-to-save-Indian-tea-from-pesticides/
3) http://www.hul.co.in/Images/Safe-and-Sustainable-Tea_tcm114-396165.pdf
4) https://twitter.com/TeasAtGirnar
For more information: http://grnpc.org/cleanchai
Follow us on twitter: @GreenpeaceIndia
Contacts:
Shashwat Raj: Senior Media Officer, Greenpeace India, +91 9971110144, 
Neha Saigal: Senior Campaigner, Greenpeace India, +91 7760968772, 