FFC has joined with other investment groups in calling for palm oil producers to place an immediate moratorium on deforestation and to ensure the protection of human rights for palm oil workers. Investors, including FFC, and NGO’s and consumer groups have long called for stronger regulatory standards for the palm oil industry. Because of these efforts, many of the leading purchasers of palm oil, including Wilmar, Golden Agri-Resources, Nestle, and Unilever, have committed to ensuring that the palm oil they purchase comes from sources committed to the protection of forests, peatlands, and the rights of the workers they employ. While progress has been made, there is still work to do. Recently, a group of palm oil producers joined together to form the Palm Oil Manifesto Group. This industry consortium plans to launch a “study period” after which time they will offer a new, industry-friendly threshold for “no deforestation” palm oil. FFC and others are concerned that these palm oil producers will use this study period to continue clearing forests and peatland. Even more worrisome are the continued human rights abuses within the palm oil industry. The industry is considered one of the worst industries for child labor and forced labor. A recent report from Bloomberg Businessweek uncovered evidence of slavery on palm oil plantations in Indonesia. FFC realizes that palm oil is an important resource that can bring jobs and investments to the local economies of some of the world’s poorest regions. By voicing our concern with these recent negative developments within the industry, FFC is urging large palm oil producers to consider the human rights of their workers and sustainability of the environment as they plan for the future of their industry. To view the letter, click here
