Gov`t to Set Up Sustainable Palm Oil Standard to Prevent Fires

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution has called on all palm oil industry stakeholders to improve their commitment to sustainable palm oil production as it could maintain Indonesia’s palm oil strategic position in the international market.

“We, the government, will show the commitment by seriously address land and forest fires, establish peatland restoration agency, [implement] a moratorium on palm oil concession and implement biofuel program,” he said when receiving the delegates of palm oil companies incorporated in Indonesia Palm Oil Pledge (IPOP) in Jakarta on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, comprising of Wilmar, Cargill, Asian Agri, Sinar Mas, Astra Agro and Musim Mas.

Darmin said that he has been setting up a proper plantation standard for both smallholder farmers and palm oil companies, especially to prevent forest and land fires. “The Indonesian government will also improve sustainability principles according to the development of the international market,” he said.

Manufacturers and consumers must share responsibility to achieve sustainable palm oil production, he said. Darmin explained that to support the government in achieving sustainable palm oil production, the companies incorporated in the IPOP have declared their readiness to cooperate with the government to join the platform of sustainable palm oil by strengthening Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil Standard (ISPO).

As the only sustainable palm oil standard in Indonesia, ISPO will be enhanced by the adoption of international best practices in accordance with Indonesian legislations. “The standard is imperative for Indonesia’s palm oil to compete in the international market, in line with the strategic interest of the Republic of Indonesia,” he said.

ABDUL AZIS