12/07/2010 (Australian Network News) - The World Wildlife Fund has welcomed news that Australia's peak grocery industry body has signed up to a roundtable conference on sustainable palm oil.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council is the first national industry association to become a member of the international group which promotes the sourcing of palm oil from well-managed plantations.

There are concerns present methods of sourcing palm oil threaten endangered species, destroy forests and create air pollution - particularly in major producers Indonesia and Malaysia.

Sustainable palm oil plantations are already operating in several countries, including Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

WWF's Andrew Rouse says he hopes the Grocery Council's membership will encourage food manufacturers to move to sustainable palm oil.

"What we would see that the Australian Food and Grocery Council will need to be doing is supporting its members, the big brand owners that make the everyday consumer products that we buy, to source increasing quantities of certified of sustainable palm oil."