Nature Alert: Indonesian must be more critical of the RSPO (Palm oil)

Thursday 19 February 2009

Indonesian must be more critical of the RSPO (Palm oil)

PRESS RELEASE

Indonesia must be more critical of the RSPO

For immediate release

Jakarta, 19 February 2009 -- The Center for Orangutan Protection (COP) rejected the statement of Indonesian Minister of Agriculture Anton Apriantono, as reported in the media between February 17 and 19, 2009 accusing that the palm oil industry is always wrongly related to negative issues, such as damage to the environment, loss of biodiversity, land degradation, deforestation, and one of the main causes of greenhouse gas emissions. COP believe that facts on the ground fully support adverse impacts of the palm oil industry.

Six years since its establishment the RSPO have never contributed significantly to the preservation of forests. Forests with high biodiversity are still converted to palm oil plantations by its members. COP Habitat Campaigner Novi Hardianto said: "RSPO certificate given to its member is only used as a cover. In fact, sustainable palm oil does not exist. The only sustainable thing is the clearing of forests".

Companies who receive RSPO certificate violate their own principle number 7.3, stating that new planting should not be done in the area with primary forest or has one or more high conservation value.

Ironically, this violation is also done by IOI Company one of the board member of RSPO.

In November 2007, COP with Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS Nyaru Menteng and Conservation and Natural Resources Body (BKSDA) saved orangutans in the concession area of IOI Group Plantation in Antang Kalang, Central Kalimantan. On the site where these orangutans were released in August 2008, COP no longer can find the apes because their habitat has been changed to palm oil plantation.

Other companies that recieved the RSPO certificate, Agro Group, also committed violations. This company rakes the forest at Sentuai Hill, Kuala Kuayan, Central Kalimantan. In fact, in this region COP found orangutans and other types protected wildlife.

"If the RSPO is serious about producing sustainable palm oil, of course they will let NGOs act as supervisors and board members in the organisation will give warning to violating members. And not even recommend sustainable certificates," said Hardianto.

COP calls for the government to be more sensitive to environmental problems developing in recent times. Economic benefits from the palm oil trade is at the expense of the life of orangutans and other wildlife. "COP is not against the palm oil industry. However, if palm oil companies' activities destroy orangutan's habitat and ecosystems, we need to sternly respond," he added.

Hall of Shame for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the Palm Oil Industry.

Nothing can prepare one for the sight of the systematic extermination of orangutans by the government of Indonesia.

Look at the photos and news articles on these pages in the context of a statement the President made to the media on 10th December 2007.

“In the last 35 years about 50,000 orangutans are estimated to have been lost as their habitats shrank. If this continues, this majestic creature will likely face extinction by 2050,” President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said at the launch of an orangutan conservation plan at the climate talks in Bali.

“The fate of the orangutan is a subject that goes to the heart of sustainable forests … To save the orangutan we have to save the forest.”

Statements like these are most welcome, but unless backed up by action, such words fall on deaf ears within the Ministry of Forestry....who are busy granting licences to cut down the very forests the President says they should protect!

When you think you are to busy to help, please could you reflect for a moment on .........

The following extract refers to environmental problems in general. I just hope you find it as thought provoking and relevant to orangutans as I have.

"This is such a shocking and unpalatable fact that most people deny it, or they just don't want to think about it. They believe as individuals, they can do little about it, so push it to the back of their minds. But I can't do that.

When something has to be done, we need to do it. It doesn't matter how big the challenge is or how hard the solution; if I know something is wrong, and I am in a position to help, I will do my best to make it right." Duncan Bannatyne, successful British businessman.