17/06/2011 (Bernama) - Malaysia has set a record as the world's largest producer of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), accounting for over 50 per cent from a total of 4.2 million tonnes CSPO production todate.

Secretary general of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Darrel Webber, said Malaysia deserved recognition on the world stage with regards to sustainable practices.

"Malaysia should be referred to as a solid and encouraging role model who has participated actively with RSPO in coming up with innovative ideas and solutions in achieving CSPO," he told a media briefing here today.

He said Sime Darby Plantations Sdn Bhd was the largest producer of CSPO in Malaysia.

"Other companies and smallholders who are supplying CSPO are Felda Holdings Bhd, IOI Group Bhd, United Plantations Bhd, Kulim (M) Bhd and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd," he said.

Webber said about 46.6 million tonnes of palm oil were produced worldwide and RSPO members represented about half of the volume, so their efforts would potentially have a large impact.

The RSPO trademark is aimed at also increasing the commitment of stakeholders along the supply chain beyond the palm oil producers, in ensuring increasing demand and uptake of CSPO.

The CSPO promotes palm oil output practices to help reduce deforestation, preserve biodiversity and respect the livelihoods or rural communities in the producing countries.

In 2010, more than 450 organisations subscribe to the RSPO's principles, representing about half of the world's palm oil supply.

Meanwhile, Webber said the suspension of IOI's certification process by the RSPO due to a dispute with natives over a plot of land in Sarawak was still being deliberated.

"We are still going though the formal process of the grievance panel and are analysing the information we have collected," he said.