THE THREAT<br />You know already that deforestation in Borneo and Sumatra has never happened so quickly. The forest is converted in palm oil plantations.<br /><br />Some organisations, including the WWF, are talking to you about sustainable palm oil through the RSPO (Roundtable on sustainable Palm Oil). I can tell you that Roundtable is not good at all. It’s all a front and not at all a tool to fight deforestation.<br /><br />Some examples :<br /><br />RSPO companies do not have any obligation to protect a fixed minimum of their concession. However, under Indonesian law, timber companies must protect at least 10% of their concession. It’s not the case with Palm oil companies.<br /><br />RSPO companies are not allowed to convert primary forest… But what is a primary forest ? It’s a virgin forest, never touched by human. Well, under the Suharto Regime, 90% of the territory in Borneo, has been given to timber and mine companies… The only primary forest left is up on the mountains, where the palm trees can’t survive…<br /><br />RSPO Companies can’t in areas where there is so much biodiversity. But if a company rejects a concession based on this reason, another less-environmentally friendly one will jump on board immediately. ..The result is the same….Why?<br /><br />RSPO or otherwise, companies will always easily sell their products. So the deforestation is not at all slowing down because of the RSPO.<br /><br />Well, so do we have to wait for the all companies follow this Roundtable (directed by Unilever).., may be… but in the meantime we will lose all the forest. Etc...
