15/07/2011 (Borneo Post) - A ‘win-win’ solution was achieved between the Department of Environment (DOE) and Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association (SOPPOA) on the issues of finding amiable solutions to environmental concerns for the industry.

The meeting held at DOE office in Kuching was attended by DOE Sarawak Branch director, Ismail Ithnin and members of SOPPOA led by first vice chairman, Paul Wong.

“SOPPOA is happy to note that the DOE has welcomed the dialogue and wants to achieve a ‘win-win’ solution between the industry and the concern of the environment,” stated Wong after the meeting.

Wong pointed out that it was agreed that the spat of reports in the local press recently relating to compounds for infringements of some regulations were not indicative of the general state of compliance achieved by majority of the industry players in the state.

“Of particular note was the understanding that discharge of water from the oil palm mills should not exceed the prescribed limit of as required under state regulations while currently the issue is still being discussed at state and national level,” he added.

Wong further highlighted that the DOE, Malaysian Palm Oil Board and Malaysian Palm Oil Association were still discussing on the permissible level due to the limitation of current technology available in meeting these requirements.

“In peninsular Malaysia, the level permissible is 100 ppm (parts per million) BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) and an amiable solution is being sought after for Sarawak,” he said.

According to Wong, the association was happy to note that DOE had agreed to also give leeway to industry players who were in the process of upgrading their systems to meet current requirements.

DOE would also consider weather conditions and other factors when accessing these plantations and mills as the biological systems used for treatment of effluents could be adversely affected by changes in weather like dry periods and also rainy days.

The department would advice mills of the proper upkeep and management of their discharge systems as these could affect the quality of the water in the rivers where they were discharged into.

Furthermore, the meeting had agreed that DOE and SOPPOA would continue having regular meetings to have better understanding and also ensure the industry progresses sustainably for the future. In this way, the ‘win-win’ solution would most likely be achievable.