Monday 8 February 2010

Shipments of sustainable palm oil to Europe surge

Personal note:

It looks like the constant pressure we are applying is beginning to have an effect.

Now we want to see the same happen in the US, Australia, New Zealand, etc. Most companies in these countries will not buy sustainable palm oil unless pressured by the public to do so, as has been proved in Europe.

Have you done anything to help persuade companies to import and use only sustainable palm oil? If so, many thanks. If not, then I'm afraid you are part of the problem you see here with all these orphaned orangutans. Just looking at thse photos will change nothing - will it? For things to change, you need to help us.

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Shipments of sustainable palm oil to Europe surge

By Rupa Damodaran

Published: 2010/02/08

CERTIFIED sustainable palm oil shipments from exporters like Malaysia to Europe have surged in January, matching production levels, said the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

Close to 120,000 tonnes of sustainable palm oil or matching certificates were traded using the GreenPalm and UTZ Certified trading programmes, it said in its latest newsletter.

"About the same volume of sustainable palm oil was produced in January by RSPO-certified oil mills and their supply base, bringing the market uptake for that month to a whopping 98 per cent."

The global organisation estimates that production will increase with "much oil from 2009 still readily available" to product manufacturers and retailers.

According to GreenPalm, the supply of RSPO certified palm oil is now substantial, thanks to the hard work palm oil producers are putting in to meet the RSPO's challenging and rigorous sustainability standards.

Another two palm oil plantations, PT Hindoli and the IOI Corp Bhd (Pamol Sabah Palm Oil Mill) have both passed their RSPO 'Principles & Criteria' sustainability audits.

In November 2009, 34 operating units from 11 companies including Sime Darby, IOI and Kulim have been certified with a production capacity of 1.75 million tonnes of sustainable palm oil for the year.

Late last year, purchasing sustainable palm oil became even more attractive thanks to GreenPalm and UTZ Certified lowering their transaction fees to US$2 (RM?? ) per tonne of sustainable palm oil.

Many palm oil traders are preparing to begin trading sustainable palm oil, according to Bas Geerts, head of business development of Amsterdam-based UTZ Certified, which traces sustainable palm oil up until final refinery.

"In recent months, we have seen many players start to trade volumes of sustainable palm oil to experience first-hand the ease of our traceability system," said Geerts.

"Many others are demonstrating their interest by requesting to participate in one of our Web training sessions, which include a demonstration of the system."

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/rup0600/Article/

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.