THE UNFAIR AND HURTING ATTACKS ON OIL PALM -AN ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY CROP

Abstract

The anti-palm oil lobby apparently has tried various means to discredit the product. Initially, the objections were supposedly based on adverse effect on health. When this claim was found to be false, the objections shifted to clearing of jungle including peat land resulting in adverse environmental impact - including killing of orangutans! Then there was a demand for certification to prove that the production of palm oil was done sustainably. Malaysian producers moved in that direction, including making a decision on no further clearing of jungle etc. Not only the non-governmental organisations (NGOs), individuals but also a supermarket chain and even the governments [in European Union (EU)] now say "no to palm oil" -even though it meets the requirements demanded earlier. The anti-palm campaign ignores the direct dependence on oil palm cultivation and palm oil production of over 10 per cent of the country’s population including smallholders and workers. Yet there is no objection to the rampant clearing of jungle for soya bean, animal production etc. in other continents - possibly because of the involvement of western investments? Additionally, there appears to be no concern of the production of other vegetable oils being more harmful to the environment. Is this justice? Keywords: Vegetable oils, palm oil environment friendly, sustainability, small farmers, false claims.