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There is an argument for the sustainable use and development of Palm Oil. One should remember or keep in mind that all Africa and a great deal of Asia is import dependant on Palm Oil as a major food and dietary requirement. The use of Palm Oil for Bio Diesel production is frequently challenged. The truth is that it is not economically viable to produce from new Palm Oil even when the price per tonne is quite low.It is still cheaper for the big companies to import USA Bio Diesel for blending in the UK as there are there are subsidies both sides of the water. However, the use of used Palm Oil (any veg oil) reclaimed from city sludge (sewage systems) or restaurant waste grease can be sustainable and worthwhile.
If the biofuel plant owners are trying to import Palm Oil for the production of Bio Diesel in UK they will go broke. If they have long term forward value contracts for Rape Oil they might be able to keep their head above water.
As an aside, only a very small % of Palm Oil is set aside or used for Bio Fuel at this time; value is in the food oil sector where a high price per tonne is gained.
The stranglehold on the food oil market, especially across Africa, was obtained by having huge concessions from the international donor aid community to import shortfalls to cover failing African agriculture from the early 1970 into the late 1990's and beyond in some cases. Within a short period of time, and to this date, it became impossible for African agriculture to produce food oils and be competitive with cheap imported Palm Oil. The small pressure from using Palm Oil to make Bio Fuels could be significant enough to raise the price of Palm Oil to a level whereby oil seed agriculture in Africa is stimulated.
Never allow the sentiment for the Orangutans to cloud ones view of SE Asia/Indonesia. Sure there are some very flashy looking big cities and tourism spots but the communities are at risk and in poverty. Their governments want conservation but they must have income from agricultural commodities. Palm Oil is the most demanded of edible oils but this is not why the rain forests got (are getting) chopped. European demands for timber have been the most impact of primary drivers on this. Planting Palm for Oil was a way to restore tree cover; of course now the industry drives in where logging is carried out.
Sustainable ? One has to think from so many angles. There are no easy solutions.
Clive.
----- Original Message -----From: Dave YatesSent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 7:38 PMSubject: [biofuelwatch] Sustainable Palm OilHi
How sustainable are 'sustainable palm oils'?I still think that a lot of it is Greenwash.I'm helping to campaign against a biofuels plant here in Newport,and having trouble answering that question.Any help/advice would be most welcome.
Cheers
Dave
Newport Friends of the Earth.
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