KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- The World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia(WWF Malaysia) Friday expressed its full support to Primary IndustriesMinister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik's call to the oil palm industry toadopt more stringent and sustainable practices in developing newplantations.

In a statement released today, WWF Malaysia agreed with Dr Lim's commentsthat the industry should minimise expansion.

Efforts should instead be taken to concentrate on optimising the use ofexisting areas for the highest productivity, said WWF Malaysia nationalprogramme director, Kevin Hiew.

He said,"We are encouraged by the fact that the minister advocates betterplanning for agriculture that takes into account biodiversity conservationwithin the landscape."

Hiew said WWF Malaysia was also satisfied with the government's earliercall to replant old palms as part of efforts to meet the palm oilindustry's production targets.--BERNAMA