Belgian food industry mimics Dutch 2015 palm oil pledge
The Belgian Alliance for Sustainable Palm Oil launched a charter to promote the use of certified sustainable palm oil in Belgium, which was signed by the main industry stakeholders from processors and product manufacturers to industry associations.
They have committed to produce and source RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil and boost the transformation towards a fully sustainable market within that three-year timeframe.
Darrel Webber, secretary general of RSPO said in response: “The Belgian Alliance demonstrates strong commitment and leadership in promoting sustainability among European product manufacturers, continuing the positive trend initiated by the Dutch national industry commitment in 2010.
Today RSPO CSPO represents 11% of all palm oil produced globally. To this end, RSPO looks forward to working closely with the Belgian Alliance for Sustainable Palm Oil and its members to raise consumer awareness of sustainable palm oil.”
Adam Harrison, VP of the RSPO and senior policy offficer for Food and Agriculture at WWF said the Belgian initiativedemonstrates the importance of tackling sustainability through cooperation.
He added: “WWF urges all companies using palm oil to set ambitious time bound targets for procuring certified sustainable palm oil, both in Belgium and in the other countries they are active, and begin buying it as soon as possible, so that we can realize our shared vision for a future where sustainable palm oil is the norm.”
