This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/7358071.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Ape protest at Unilever factory Ape protest at Unilever factory
(about 23 hours later)
About 50 Greenpeace campaigners are staging a protest at Unilever sites in Merseyside and London. About 50 Greenpeace campaigners, some dressed as apes, have staged a protest at two Unilever sites over the company's use of palm oil.
The protesters, some dressed as apes, went into the plant at Port Sunlight, Wirral, and Unilever House on Victoria Embankment to highlight palm oil usage. The protesters went into the plant at Port Sunlight, Wirral, and Unilever House, London, early on Monday.
Greenpeace claims the use of palm oil by companies such as Unilever is damaging rainforests in Indonesia. Campaigners left both sites about nine hours later after talks with managers.
However, Unilever says it is leading the search to find solutions to achieving sustainable palm oil. Greenpeace claims the use of palm oil is damaging the Indonesian rainforest, but Unilever says it is leading the search for a sustainable product.
In November, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) - which Unilever chairs - agreed criteria for sustainable palm oil production which addresses many of Greenpeace's concerns, the company said.In November, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) - which Unilever chairs - agreed criteria for sustainable palm oil production which addresses many of Greenpeace's concerns, the company said.
"The problem is simply that demand of palm oil has exploded," a spokesperson said."The problem is simply that demand of palm oil has exploded," a spokesperson said.
"It is essential that all those involved sign up to agreed criteria to make sustainability work on the ground - but this is not an easy process and is taking longer than we would all like."It is essential that all those involved sign up to agreed criteria to make sustainability work on the ground - but this is not an easy process and is taking longer than we would all like.
We're not against use of palm oil per se, but what we are against is destruction of rainforests to support the palm oil plantations Greenpeace spokesman It was a frank exchange of views but very amicable and grown up Unilever spokesman
"Nevertheless, we remain absolutely committed to finding a solution.""Nevertheless, we remain absolutely committed to finding a solution."
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said the force was aware of the demonstration, which she described as "peaceful" and said officers were monitoring the protesters. A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said officers monitored the protesters during the demonstration, which she described as "peaceful".
A Greenpeace spokesman said the group arrived in two vans at the front and back entrance of the Wirral site at about 0640 BST and simply walked in.A Greenpeace spokesman said the group arrived in two vans at the front and back entrance of the Wirral site at about 0640 BST and simply walked in.
Some of the protesters were dressed as orang-utans and may have caused a distraction to security, the spokesman said.
Later at 0735 BST, campaigners dressed as orang-utans scaled ladders on to a balcony at the headquarters in London.Later at 0735 BST, campaigners dressed as orang-utans scaled ladders on to a balcony at the headquarters in London.
'Controversial' oil Campaigners left both sites at about 1545 BST after a meeting with a senior Unilever manager from London.
The spokesman said the group would leave "if Unilever agrees to stop buying palm oil from companies who are destroying rainforests". Andy Tait, a campaign manager for Greenpeace at the Wirral protest site, said: "Unilever have promised a substantive response in the next couple of weeks and during that time we will look at other ways to keep up the pressure.
"We're not against use of palm oil per se, but what we are against is destruction of rainforests to support the palm oil plantations," he said. "Today has been a success in terms of keeping it on the public's and Unilever's agenda but the real success will be when Unilever changes their policies by not dealing with suppliers who destroy the rainforest."
A Unilever spokesman said production at the plant in the Wirral had not been affected by the action.
"It was all very peaceful and amicable," said the spokesman.
"One of our senior managers in London met with a Greenpeace representative today. It was a frank exchange of views but very amicable and grown up."
Greenpeace is urging Unilever to use its influence to stop palm oil suppliers clearing areas of rainforest - the natural habitat of orang-utans in Indonesia - to support the crop.Greenpeace is urging Unilever to use its influence to stop palm oil suppliers clearing areas of rainforest - the natural habitat of orang-utans in Indonesia - to support the crop.
Palm oil is an ingredient in foods, soaps and detergents and a bio-fuel added to diesel for cars.Palm oil is an ingredient in foods, soaps and detergents and a bio-fuel added to diesel for cars.
The BBC's environment analyst Roger Harrabin said it was a controversial oil because it was often grown on rainforest land in South-East Asia.