22/11/05 SINGAPORE, (Bernama) -- An eight-point principles and criteria (P&C) that seeks to implement the best approach to sustainable palm oil production globally has been tabled for formal adoption at the Third Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), here Tuesday.

Of the eight principles, seven apply to all growers while another, Principle 7, applies only to new plantings.

Presenting the P&C, ProForest director Neil Judd said the Criteria Working Group reached consensus on the final version during a meeting in Kuala Lumpur in September this year.

The P&C covers commitment to transparency, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, commitment to long-term economic and financial viability, use of appropriate best practices by growers and millers, and environmental responsibility and conservation of natural resources and biodiversity.

It also touches on the responsible consideration of employees and of individuals and communities affected by growers and mills, responsible development of new plantings, and commitment to continuous improvement in key areas of activity.

There are altogether 39 criteria under the principles.

Among the criteria are the need for oil palm growers and millers to provide adequate information to other stakeholders on environmental, social and legal issues, and that the use of land for oil palm does not diminished the legal rights, or customary rights, of other users.

Growers are also required to document operating procedures and consistently implement and monitor them and make sure agrochemical are used in a way that does not endanger the health of the environment.

It also requires that growers and millers identify aspects of plantation and mill management that have environmental impact, implement and monitor plans to mitigate them and promote the positive ones.

Another criteria reads: "Use of fire for waste disposal and for preparing land for replanting is avoided except in specific situations, as identified in the Asean guidelines or other regional best practices." Growers and millers are also not to use child labour and wherever appropriate they are to contribute to local sustainable development.

As for new plantations, growers are required to undertake a comprehensive social and environmental impact assessment prior to establishing new plantings or expanding existing ones.

Extensive planting on steep terrain, marginal or fragile soils is also to be avoided.

The roundtable, attended by over 300 participants from the region and around the world, is expected to adopt the P&C at the conclusion of their discussions Wednesday.

All those criteria will be applied for an initial period of two years after which they would be reviewed for further improvement.

During the period, national interpretations would also be developed.

-- BERNAMA