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Palm oil body criticised over inquiry into members' role in Indonesian fires Palm oil body criticised over inquiry into members' role in Indonesian fires
(2 months later)
The self-regulating industry body created to promote sustainable palm oil production has been criticised over its investigation into members' involvement in the Indonesian fires which sent a hazardous and economically disruptive haze over parts of south-east Asia.The self-regulating industry body created to promote sustainable palm oil production has been criticised over its investigation into members' involvement in the Indonesian fires which sent a hazardous and economically disruptive haze over parts of south-east Asia.
In late June, when Asia's worst air pollution crisis in decades was at its worst, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) called on five palm oil suppliers who had been named in the media – Jatim Jaya Perkasa, Tabung Haji Plantations, Kuala Lumpur Kepong, and palm oil supplier giants Golden Agri Resources and Sime Darby – to provide digital maps of their concession areas to show whether or not they matched satellite imagery of the hotspots.In late June, when Asia's worst air pollution crisis in decades was at its worst, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) called on five palm oil suppliers who had been named in the media – Jatim Jaya Perkasa, Tabung Haji Plantations, Kuala Lumpur Kepong, and palm oil supplier giants Golden Agri Resources and Sime Darby – to provide digital maps of their concession areas to show whether or not they matched satellite imagery of the hotspots.
Four days later the RSPO reported it had received information from three of the companies – Sime Darby, Kuala Lumpur Kepong and Golden Agri Resources – and blamed "delays in communication" for the other two companies not responding. A further 48 hours was given for the two other companies, after which the RSPO said formal complaint proceedings would be launched.Four days later the RSPO reported it had received information from three of the companies – Sime Darby, Kuala Lumpur Kepong and Golden Agri Resources – and blamed "delays in communication" for the other two companies not responding. A further 48 hours was given for the two other companies, after which the RSPO said formal complaint proceedings would be launched.
Eleven days later, on Tuesday 9 July in a statement now removed from its website, the RSPO confirmed it had received maps from Tabung Haji Plantations and had submitted them for analysis, and would initiate internal complaint procedures against Jatim Jaya Perkasa for failing to provide any information.Eleven days later, on Tuesday 9 July in a statement now removed from its website, the RSPO confirmed it had received maps from Tabung Haji Plantations and had submitted them for analysis, and would initiate internal complaint procedures against Jatim Jaya Perkasa for failing to provide any information.
Jatim Jaya Perkasa was also found by the World Wildlife Fund to have engaged in slash-and-burn land clearing in 2003. Guardian Australia tried contacting the company several times but no available contact details were current.Jatim Jaya Perkasa was also found by the World Wildlife Fund to have engaged in slash-and-burn land clearing in 2003. Guardian Australia tried contacting the company several times but no available contact details were current.
On Thursday 11 July the RSPO said it had analysed the four companies' maps and all had been cleared of any wrongdoing. Jatim Jaya Perkasa had submitted maps but in a format that was unusable.On Thursday 11 July the RSPO said it had analysed the four companies' maps and all had been cleared of any wrongdoing. Jatim Jaya Perkasa had submitted maps but in a format that was unusable.
Greenpeace said its information showed nearly 100 hotspots on Jatim Jaya Perkasa land, and more than 20 on plantation land owned by Bumireksa Nusasejati, part of the Malaysian-based Sime Darby group. However, Sime Darby said fires found were on areas not planted by staff but local farmers, and the company intended to increase awareness programs among the local community.Greenpeace said its information showed nearly 100 hotspots on Jatim Jaya Perkasa land, and more than 20 on plantation land owned by Bumireksa Nusasejati, part of the Malaysian-based Sime Darby group. However, Sime Darby said fires found were on areas not planted by staff but local farmers, and the company intended to increase awareness programs among the local community.
When contacted by Guardian Australia the RSPO said Jatim Jaya Perkasa had in fact submitted the unusable map before the second deadline, however the second deadline was 1 July – 10 days before the press release which stated the RSPO would be launching complaint proceedings.When contacted by Guardian Australia the RSPO said Jatim Jaya Perkasa had in fact submitted the unusable map before the second deadline, however the second deadline was 1 July – 10 days before the press release which stated the RSPO would be launching complaint proceedings.
"The question is why the RSPO needs to wait for over two weeks for companies to hand in concession maps, when it is part of the RSPO principles and criteria for members to be transparent about their concession maps," said Bustar Maitar, head of Greenpeace's Indonesia forest campaign."The question is why the RSPO needs to wait for over two weeks for companies to hand in concession maps, when it is part of the RSPO principles and criteria for members to be transparent about their concession maps," said Bustar Maitar, head of Greenpeace's Indonesia forest campaign.
On Thursday afternoon the RSPO said the fires represented an opportunity for it and its members to help companies and governments avoid the annual fires and haze.On Thursday afternoon the RSPO said the fires represented an opportunity for it and its members to help companies and governments avoid the annual fires and haze.
"The RSPO firmly believes that mitigating or avoiding fires on peat systems requires landscape level collaboration and management," it said."The RSPO firmly believes that mitigating or avoiding fires on peat systems requires landscape level collaboration and management," it said.
"The RSPO firmly encourages its members with existing plantations on peat and elsewhere to adopt fire prevention measures within their concessions.""The RSPO firmly encourages its members with existing plantations on peat and elsewhere to adopt fire prevention measures within their concessions."
Maitar said the RSPO had failed in its duties and it was now "time for individual palm oil companies to step up and set the bar higher than the RSPO".Maitar said the RSPO had failed in its duties and it was now "time for individual palm oil companies to step up and set the bar higher than the RSPO".
Australia imports around 130,000 tonnes of palm oil a year, according to the WWF. It is an ingredient in at least 50% of the products on supermarket shelves, but can be listed under a number of different names, including "vegetable oil", which consumer advocates say prevent buyers from making informed choices.Australia imports around 130,000 tonnes of palm oil a year, according to the WWF. It is an ingredient in at least 50% of the products on supermarket shelves, but can be listed under a number of different names, including "vegetable oil", which consumer advocates say prevent buyers from making informed choices.
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