RSPO-OUTLOOK

RSPO SEES BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR SUSTAINABLE PALM OIL
By Wan Nor Azura Mior Abd Aziz

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
(RSPO) sees a brighter future for palm oil following its sixth general assembly
held here.
According to RSPO secretary-general Dr Vengeta Rao, the assembly has paved a
progressive path for members to work towards a brighter future for the industry.
He said the RSPO would continue to commit to the principles of integrity and
transparency, and engagement with all stakeholders in achieving sustainability
in agricultural practice.
The RSPO is a global initiative on sustainable palm oil with the aim of
promoting the growth and use of sustainable palm oil through cooperation within
the supply chain and open dialogue between its stakeholders.
Rao said the proposed resolutions by GAPKI or Gabungan Pengusaha Kelapa
Sawit Indonesia and Malaysian Palm Oil Association for the RSPO to commission a
working group to establish a system to share the cost of certification for
smallholders had been well accepted.
Members have also agreed to commission a working group to establish a system
to share the certification and verification costs on new plantings currently
borne by growers, he told reporters after the meeting here today.
It has also accepted the establishment of a working group to provide
recommendations on how to deal with existing plantations on peatlands, as
proposed by Wetlands International, he said.
"By the eighth RSPO meeting next year, the executive board will have to
develop the terms of reference for the committee and appoint its members," he
added.
The committee will be tasked with developing business models for sustainable
options for current oil palm plantations on peatlands, Rao said.
This, he said, will include exploring water management regimes appropriate
to reduce emissions and mechanism to facilitate restoration of peatlands. --
BERNAMA
WNA LC