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Events

2017/09/07
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2017/04/04
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2017/04/04
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 640 votes to 18, with 28 abstentions, a resolution on palm oil and deforestation of rainforests.

Parliament recalled that there are many drivers of global deforestation, including the production of agricultural commodities such as soy, beef, maize and palm oil. It also stated that precious tropical ecosystems, which cover a mere 7 % of the Earth’s surface, are under increasing pressure from deforestation. The establishment of palm oil plantations is resulting in massive forest fires, the drying up of rivers, soil erosion, peatland drainage, the pollution of waterways and overall loss of biodiversity.

General considerations : Parliament recalled that sustainable agriculture, food security and sustainable forest management are core objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It noted that 73 % of global deforestation arises from the clearing of land for agricultural commodities, with 40 % of global deforestation caused by conversion to large-scale monocultural oil palm plantations.

Palm oil exploitation is not the sole cause of deforestation, with the expansion of illegal logging activities and demographic pressures also responsible for this problem. The global rush for land is driven by increasing global demand for biofuel and raw materials, and by speculation on land and agricultural commodities.

According to Parliament, in order to effectively combat deforestation linked to the consumption of agricultural commodities, EU action should consider not only palm oil production, but all such imported agricultural imports.

In this regard, Parliament recalled that Malaysia and Indonesia are the main producers of palm oil. However, Indonesia has recently become the third highest polluter of CO2 in the world and suffers from decreasing biodiversity.

Recalling that palm oil accounts for about 40 % of global trade in all vegetable oils and that the EU, with around 7 million tonnes per year, is the second largest global importer, Parliament is alarmed by the fact that around half of the area of illegally cleared forests is used for palm oil production for the EU market.

Members also noted that palm oil is used as an ingredient and/or substitute by the agri-food industry because of its productivity and chemical properties, for example its ease of storage, melting point and lower price as a raw material.

Collective responsibility : fully aware of the complexity of the issue of palm oil, Parliament emphasised the importance of developing a global solution based on the collective responsibility of many actors, including: the EU and other international organisations, the Member States, financial institutions, the governments of producer countries, indigenous people and local communities, national and multinational businesses involved in producing, distributing and processing palm oil, consumer associations, and NGOs. However, it emphasised the important role of the food industry to source sustainably produced alternatives.

Zero-deforestation : Parliament noted that a number of commodity producers and traders, retailers and other intermediaries in the supply chain, including European companies, have made commitments in the areas of zero-deforestation production. However, it considered that efforts to halt deforestation must include local capacity-building , technological aid, the sharing of best practices between communities and support to help small-holders make the most effective use of their existing croplands. It stressed the strong potential of agro ecological practices to maximise ecosystem functions via mixed, high diversity planting, agroforestry and permaculture techniques, without resorting to input dependency or monocultures.

Parliament welcomed the existence of various types of voluntary certification schemes (labels, etc), but considered that they are confusing for consumers. It called on the Commission, and all Member States who have not yet done so, to demonstrate their commitment to working towards the establishment of an EU-wide national commitment of sourcing 100 % certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) by 2020 and to working towards the establishment of an industry commitment by, inter alia, signing and implementing the Amsterdam Declaration “In Support of a Fully Sustainable Palm Oil Supply Chain by 2020”.

Further recommendations : Parliament also made a series of recommendations all of which aim to increase the sustainability of global palm oil production, while respecting international commitments.

These include, inter alia :

information campaigns on the positive environmental, social and political consequences of sustainable palm oil production;

the introduction of minimum sustainability criteria for palm oil and products containing palm oil that enter the EU market, making sure that palm oil in the EU; the enhancement of traceability of palm oil imported into the EU; the endorsement of the need, as part of the dialogue with those countries, to impose a freeze on the area under oil palm cultivation, including by introducing a moratorium on new concessions; the implementation of effective corporate social and environmental responsibility measures for all producing companies; working closely with other significant consumers of palm oil, such as China, India and the producing countries, so as to raise their awareness and to explore common solutions to the problem of tropical deforestation and forest degradation; the introduction of obligatory requirements favouring sustainable palm oil in all national public procurement procedures.

Biofuels : lastly, Parliament noted with concern that 46 % of total palm oil imported by the EU is used for the production of biofuels and that this requires the use of about one million hectares of tropical soils. It noted that 70 % of biofuel consumed in the EU is grown/produced in the EU and, of the biofuel imported into the EU, 23 % is palm oil, mainly from Indonesia, and another 6 % is soya.

Parliament called on the Commission to take measures to phase out the use of vegetable oils that drive deforestation , including palm oil, as a component of biofuels, preferably by 2020. It noted that simply banning or phasing out the use of palm oil may give rise to replacement tropical vegetable oils being used for biofuel production, which would, in all probability, be grown in the same ecologically sensitive regions as palm oil and which may have a much higher impact on biodiversity, land use and greenhouse gas emissions than palm oil itself. It recommended finding and promoting more sustainable alternatives for biofuel use , such as European oils produced from domestically cultivated rape and sunflower seeds.

Documents
2017/04/04
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2017/04/03
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2017/03/20
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Details

The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted the own-initiative report by Kateřina KONEČNÁ (GUE/NGL, CZ) on palm oil and deforestation of rainforests.

Members recalled that there are many drivers of global deforestation, including the production of agricultural commodities such as soy, beef, maize and palm oil. They also stated that precious tropical ecosystems, which cover a mere 7 % of the Earth’s surface, are under increasing pressure from deforestation. The establishment of palm oil plantations is resulting in massive forest fires, the drying up of rivers, soil erosion, peatland drainage, the pollution of waterways and overall loss of biodiversity.

General considerations : Members recalled that sustainable agriculture, food security and sustainable forest management are core objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They noted that 73 % of global deforestation arises from the clearing of land for agricultural commodities, with 40 % of global deforestation caused by conversion to large-scale monocultural oil palm plantations .

Palm oil exploitation is not the sole cause of deforestation, with the expansion of illegal logging activities and demographic pressures also responsible for this problem. The global rush for land is driven by increasing global demand for biofuel and raw materials, and by speculation on land and agricultural commodities.

According to Members highlighted that in order to effectively combat deforestation linked to the consumption of agricultural commodities, EU action should consider not only palm oil production, but all such imported agricultural imports.

In this regard, Members recalled that Malaysia and Indonesia are the main producers of palm oil. However, Indonesia has recently become the third highest polluter of CO2 in the world and suffers from decreasing biodiversity.

Recalling that palm oil accounts for about 40 % of global trade in all vegetable oils and that the EU, with around 7 million tonnes per year, is the second largest global importer, Members are alarmed by the fact that around half of the area of illegally cleared forests is used for palm oil production for the EU market .

Members noted that palm oil is used as an ingredient and/or substitute by the agri-food industry because of its productivity and chemical properties, for example its ease of storage, melting point and lower price as a raw material.

Collective responsibility : fully aware of the complexity of the issue of palm oil, Members emphasised the importance of developing a global solution based on the collective responsibility of many actors, including: the EU and other international organisations, the Member States, financial institutions, the governments of producer countries, indigenous people and local communities, national and multinational businesses involved in producing, distributing and processing palm oil, consumer associations, and NGOs. However, they emphasised the important role of the food industry to source sustainably produced alternatives.

Zero-deforestation : Members noted that a number of commodity producers and traders, retailers and other intermediaries in the supply chain, including European companies, have made commitments in the areas of zero-deforestation production. However, they considered that efforts to halt deforestation must include local capacity-building , technological aid, the sharing of best practices between communities and support to help small-holders make the most effective use of their existing croplands. They stressed the strong potential of agro ecological practices to maximise ecosystem functions via mixed, high diversity planting, agroforestry and permaculture techniques, without resorting to input dependency or monocultures.

Although Members welcomed the existence of various types of voluntary certification schemes (labels, etc), they considered that they are c onfusing for consumers and that the ultimate objective should be the development of a single certification scheme . They, therefore, called on the EU to create incentives to work towards a sustainable palm oil uptake of 100 % in Europe by 2020 .

Further recommendations : Members also made a series of recommendations all of which aim to increase the sustainability of global palm oil production, while respecting international commitments.

Members called for, inter alia :

information campaigns on the positive environmental, social and political consequences of sustainable palm oil production; the introduction of minimum sustainability criteria for palm oil and products containing palm oil that enter the EU market, making sure that palm oil in the EU; the enhancement of traceability of palm oil imported into the EU; the endorsement of the need, as part of the dialogue with those countries, to impose a freeze on the area under oil palm cultivation, including by introducing a moratorium on new concessions; the implementation of effective corporate social and environmental responsibility measures for all producing companies; the introduction of obligatory requirements favouring sustainable palm oil in all national public procurement procedures.

Biofuels : lastly, Members noted with concern that 46 % of total palm oil imported by the EU is used for the production of biofuels and that this requires the use of about one million hectares of tropical soils. They called on the Commission to take measures to phase out the use of vegetable oils that drive deforestation, including palm oil, as a component of biofuels , preferably by 2020.

Members noted that simply banning or phasing out the use of palm oil may give rise to replacement tropical vegetable oils being used for biofuel production, which would, in all probability, be grown in the same ecologically sensitive regions as palm oil and which may have a much higher impact on biodiversity, land use and greenhouse gas emissions than palm oil itself. They recommended finding and promoting more sustainable alternatives for biofuel use , such as European oils produced from domestically cultivated rape and sunflower seeds.

Documents
2017/03/09
   EP - Vote in committee
2017/03/02
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2017/03/02
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2017/01/26
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2016/12/07
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2016/11/15
   EP - HAUTALA Heidi (Verts/ALE) appointed as rapporteur in DEVE
2016/11/03
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2016/10/12
   EP - BEGHIN Tiziana (EFDD) appointed as rapporteur in INTA
2016/10/11
   EP - MARCELLESI Florent (Verts/ALE) appointed as rapporteur in AGRI
2016/09/15
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament

Documents

Activities

Votes

A8-0066/2017 - Kateřina Konečná - Résolution #

2017/04/04 Outcome: +: 640, 0: 28, -: 18
DE FR IT ES PL GB RO PT BE NL EL CZ AT HU SE BG FI HR DK SK LT IE SI LV LU CY EE MT ??
Total
90
66
62
53
50
63
30
20
19
25
19
19
18
17
18
14
12
11
11
13
9
9
8
7
6
6
5
5
1
icon: PPE PPE
200

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1

Ireland PPE

3

Luxembourg PPE

3

Cyprus PPE

1

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1

Malta PPE

2
icon: S&D S&D
171

Netherlands S&D

3

Czechia S&D

3

Croatia S&D

2

Denmark S&D

2

Lithuania S&D

1

Ireland S&D

For (1)

1

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Latvia S&D

1

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Cyprus S&D

2

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Malta S&D

3
icon: ALDE ALDE
63

United Kingdom ALDE

1

Romania ALDE

Abstain (1)

3

Portugal ALDE

1

Austria ALDE

For (1)

1

Bulgaria ALDE

3

Croatia ALDE

2
2

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

1

Latvia ALDE

1

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Estonia ALDE

2
icon: ECR ECR
66

Italy ECR

2

Romania ECR

For (1)

1

Netherlands ECR

2

Czechia ECR

2

Bulgaria ECR

1
2

Croatia ECR

For (1)

1

Slovakia ECR

Against (1)

3

Lithuania ECR

1

Latvia ECR

For (1)

1

Cyprus ECR

1

ECR

For (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
48

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

3

Czechia GUE/NGL

2

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Denmark GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
46

Italy Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

4

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Hungary Verts/ALE

2

Sweden Verts/ALE

3

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1
icon: ENF ENF
36

Germany ENF

Abstain (1)

1

Poland ENF

Against (1)

Abstain (1)

2

United Kingdom ENF

Against (1)

1

Romania ENF

1

Belgium ENF

For (1)

1

Netherlands ENF

3

Austria ENF

Abstain (1)

4
icon: EFDD EFDD
39

Germany EFDD

Against (1)

1

France EFDD

1

Poland EFDD

1

Czechia EFDD

Against (1)

1

Sweden EFDD

2

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

1
icon: NI NI
17

Germany NI

For (1)

Against (1)

2

Poland NI

Against (1)

2

United Kingdom NI

For (1)

Against (1)

Abstain (1)

3
AmendmentsDossier
572 2016/2222(INI)
2016/11/21 AGRI 170 amendments...
source: 593.946
2016/12/07 ENVI 265 amendments...
source: 595.487
2016/12/12 INTA 67 amendments...
source: 595.650
2017/02/03 DEVE 70 amendments...
source: 597.688

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

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  • date: 2016-11-03T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE593.850 title: PE593.850 type: Committee draft report body: EP
  • date: 2016-12-07T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE595.487 title: PE595.487 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2017-01-26T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE592.301&secondRef=02 title: PE592.301 committee: INTA type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2017-03-02T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE592.126&secondRef=02 title: PE592.126 committee: AGRI type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2017-03-02T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE594.062&secondRef=03 title: PE594.062 committee: DEVE type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2017-09-07T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=29285&j=0&l=en title: SP(2017)487 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
events
  • date: 2016-09-15T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2017-03-09T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2017-03-20T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2017-0066&language=EN title: A8-0066/2017 summary: The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted the own-initiative report by Kateřina KONEČNÁ (GUE/NGL, CZ) on palm oil and deforestation of rainforests. Members recalled that there are many drivers of global deforestation, including the production of agricultural commodities such as soy, beef, maize and palm oil. They also stated that precious tropical ecosystems, which cover a mere 7 % of the Earth’s surface, are under increasing pressure from deforestation. The establishment of palm oil plantations is resulting in massive forest fires, the drying up of rivers, soil erosion, peatland drainage, the pollution of waterways and overall loss of biodiversity. General considerations : Members recalled that sustainable agriculture, food security and sustainable forest management are core objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They noted that 73 % of global deforestation arises from the clearing of land for agricultural commodities, with 40 % of global deforestation caused by conversion to large-scale monocultural oil palm plantations . Palm oil exploitation is not the sole cause of deforestation, with the expansion of illegal logging activities and demographic pressures also responsible for this problem. The global rush for land is driven by increasing global demand for biofuel and raw materials, and by speculation on land and agricultural commodities. According to Members highlighted that in order to effectively combat deforestation linked to the consumption of agricultural commodities, EU action should consider not only palm oil production, but all such imported agricultural imports. In this regard, Members recalled that Malaysia and Indonesia are the main producers of palm oil. However, Indonesia has recently become the third highest polluter of CO2 in the world and suffers from decreasing biodiversity. Recalling that palm oil accounts for about 40 % of global trade in all vegetable oils and that the EU, with around 7 million tonnes per year, is the second largest global importer, Members are alarmed by the fact that around half of the area of illegally cleared forests is used for palm oil production for the EU market . Members noted that palm oil is used as an ingredient and/or substitute by the agri-food industry because of its productivity and chemical properties, for example its ease of storage, melting point and lower price as a raw material. Collective responsibility : fully aware of the complexity of the issue of palm oil, Members emphasised the importance of developing a global solution based on the collective responsibility of many actors, including: the EU and other international organisations, the Member States, financial institutions, the governments of producer countries, indigenous people and local communities, national and multinational businesses involved in producing, distributing and processing palm oil, consumer associations, and NGOs. However, they emphasised the important role of the food industry to source sustainably produced alternatives. Zero-deforestation : Members noted that a number of commodity producers and traders, retailers and other intermediaries in the supply chain, including European companies, have made commitments in the areas of zero-deforestation production. However, they considered that efforts to halt deforestation must include local capacity-building , technological aid, the sharing of best practices between communities and support to help small-holders make the most effective use of their existing croplands. They stressed the strong potential of agro ecological practices to maximise ecosystem functions via mixed, high diversity planting, agroforestry and permaculture techniques, without resorting to input dependency or monocultures. Although Members welcomed the existence of various types of voluntary certification schemes (labels, etc), they considered that they are c onfusing for consumers and that the ultimate objective should be the development of a single certification scheme . They, therefore, called on the EU to create incentives to work towards a sustainable palm oil uptake of 100 % in Europe by 2020 . Further recommendations : Members also made a series of recommendations all of which aim to increase the sustainability of global palm oil production, while respecting international commitments. Members called for, inter alia : information campaigns on the positive environmental, social and political consequences of sustainable palm oil production; the introduction of minimum sustainability criteria for palm oil and products containing palm oil that enter the EU market, making sure that palm oil in the EU; the enhancement of traceability of palm oil imported into the EU; the endorsement of the need, as part of the dialogue with those countries, to impose a freeze on the area under oil palm cultivation, including by introducing a moratorium on new concessions; the implementation of effective corporate social and environmental responsibility measures for all producing companies; the introduction of obligatory requirements favouring sustainable palm oil in all national public procurement procedures. Biofuels : lastly, Members noted with concern that 46 % of total palm oil imported by the EU is used for the production of biofuels and that this requires the use of about one million hectares of tropical soils. They called on the Commission to take measures to phase out the use of vegetable oils that drive deforestation, including palm oil, as a component of biofuels , preferably by 2020. Members noted that simply banning or phasing out the use of palm oil may give rise to replacement tropical vegetable oils being used for biofuel production, which would, in all probability, be grown in the same ecologically sensitive regions as palm oil and which may have a much higher impact on biodiversity, land use and greenhouse gas emissions than palm oil itself. They recommended finding and promoting more sustainable alternatives for biofuel use , such as European oils produced from domestically cultivated rape and sunflower seeds.
  • date: 2017-04-03T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20170403&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2017-04-04T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=29285&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2017-04-04T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2017-0098 title: T8-0098/2017 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 640 votes to 18, with 28 abstentions, a resolution on palm oil and deforestation of rainforests. Parliament recalled that there are many drivers of global deforestation, including the production of agricultural commodities such as soy, beef, maize and palm oil. It also stated that precious tropical ecosystems, which cover a mere 7 % of the Earth’s surface, are under increasing pressure from deforestation. The establishment of palm oil plantations is resulting in massive forest fires, the drying up of rivers, soil erosion, peatland drainage, the pollution of waterways and overall loss of biodiversity. General considerations : Parliament recalled that sustainable agriculture, food security and sustainable forest management are core objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It noted that 73 % of global deforestation arises from the clearing of land for agricultural commodities, with 40 % of global deforestation caused by conversion to large-scale monocultural oil palm plantations. Palm oil exploitation is not the sole cause of deforestation, with the expansion of illegal logging activities and demographic pressures also responsible for this problem. The global rush for land is driven by increasing global demand for biofuel and raw materials, and by speculation on land and agricultural commodities. According to Parliament, in order to effectively combat deforestation linked to the consumption of agricultural commodities, EU action should consider not only palm oil production, but all such imported agricultural imports. In this regard, Parliament recalled that Malaysia and Indonesia are the main producers of palm oil. However, Indonesia has recently become the third highest polluter of CO2 in the world and suffers from decreasing biodiversity. Recalling that palm oil accounts for about 40 % of global trade in all vegetable oils and that the EU, with around 7 million tonnes per year, is the second largest global importer, Parliament is alarmed by the fact that around half of the area of illegally cleared forests is used for palm oil production for the EU market. Members also noted that palm oil is used as an ingredient and/or substitute by the agri-food industry because of its productivity and chemical properties, for example its ease of storage, melting point and lower price as a raw material. Collective responsibility : fully aware of the complexity of the issue of palm oil, Parliament emphasised the importance of developing a global solution based on the collective responsibility of many actors, including: the EU and other international organisations, the Member States, financial institutions, the governments of producer countries, indigenous people and local communities, national and multinational businesses involved in producing, distributing and processing palm oil, consumer associations, and NGOs. However, it emphasised the important role of the food industry to source sustainably produced alternatives. Zero-deforestation : Parliament noted that a number of commodity producers and traders, retailers and other intermediaries in the supply chain, including European companies, have made commitments in the areas of zero-deforestation production. However, it considered that efforts to halt deforestation must include local capacity-building , technological aid, the sharing of best practices between communities and support to help small-holders make the most effective use of their existing croplands. It stressed the strong potential of agro ecological practices to maximise ecosystem functions via mixed, high diversity planting, agroforestry and permaculture techniques, without resorting to input dependency or monocultures. Parliament welcomed the existence of various types of voluntary certification schemes (labels, etc), but considered that they are confusing for consumers. It called on the Commission, and all Member States who have not yet done so, to demonstrate their commitment to working towards the establishment of an EU-wide national commitment of sourcing 100 % certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) by 2020 and to working towards the establishment of an industry commitment by, inter alia, signing and implementing the Amsterdam Declaration “In Support of a Fully Sustainable Palm Oil Supply Chain by 2020”. Further recommendations : Parliament also made a series of recommendations all of which aim to increase the sustainability of global palm oil production, while respecting international commitments. These include, inter alia : information campaigns on the positive environmental, social and political consequences of sustainable palm oil production; the introduction of minimum sustainability criteria for palm oil and products containing palm oil that enter the EU market, making sure that palm oil in the EU; the enhancement of traceability of palm oil imported into the EU; the endorsement of the need, as part of the dialogue with those countries, to impose a freeze on the area under oil palm cultivation, including by introducing a moratorium on new concessions; the implementation of effective corporate social and environmental responsibility measures for all producing companies; working closely with other significant consumers of palm oil, such as China, India and the producing countries, so as to raise their awareness and to explore common solutions to the problem of tropical deforestation and forest degradation; the introduction of obligatory requirements favouring sustainable palm oil in all national public procurement procedures. Biofuels : lastly, Parliament noted with concern that 46 % of total palm oil imported by the EU is used for the production of biofuels and that this requires the use of about one million hectares of tropical soils. It noted that 70 % of biofuel consumed in the EU is grown/produced in the EU and, of the biofuel imported into the EU, 23 % is palm oil, mainly from Indonesia, and another 6 % is soya. Parliament called on the Commission to take measures to phase out the use of vegetable oils that drive deforestation , including palm oil, as a component of biofuels, preferably by 2020. It noted that simply banning or phasing out the use of palm oil may give rise to replacement tropical vegetable oils being used for biofuel production, which would, in all probability, be grown in the same ecologically sensitive regions as palm oil and which may have a much higher impact on biodiversity, land use and greenhouse gas emissions than palm oil itself. It recommended finding and promoting more sustainable alternatives for biofuel use , such as European oils produced from domestically cultivated rape and sunflower seeds.
  • date: 2017-04-04T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
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  • The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted the own-initiative report by Kateřina KONEČNÁ (GUE/NGL, CZ) on palm oil and deforestation of rainforests.

    Members recalled that there are many drivers of global deforestation, including the production of agricultural commodities such as soy, beef, maize and palm oil. They also stated that precious tropical ecosystems, which cover a mere 7 % of the Earth’s surface, are under increasing pressure from deforestation. The establishment of palm oil plantations is resulting in massive forest fires, the drying up of rivers, soil erosion, peatland drainage, the pollution of waterways and overall loss of biodiversity.

    General considerations: Members recalled that sustainable agriculture, food security and sustainable forest management are core objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They noted that 73 % of global deforestation arises from the clearing of land for agricultural commodities, with 40 % of global deforestation caused by conversion to large-scale monocultural oil palm plantations.

    Palm oil exploitation is not the sole cause of deforestation, with the expansion of illegal logging activities and demographic pressures also responsible for this problem. The global rush for land is driven by increasing global demand for biofuel and raw materials, and by speculation on land and agricultural commodities. 

    According to Members highlighted that in order to effectively combat deforestation linked to the consumption of agricultural commodities, EU action should consider not only palm oil production, but all such imported agricultural imports.

    In this regard, Members recalled that Malaysia and Indonesia are the main producers of palm oil. However, Indonesia has recently become the third highest polluter of CO2 in the world and suffers from decreasing biodiversity.

    Recalling that palm oil accounts for about 40 % of global trade in all vegetable oils and that the EU, with around 7 million tonnes per year, is the second largest global importer, Members are alarmed by the fact that around half of the area of illegally cleared forests is used for palm oil production for the EU market.

    Members noted that palm oil is used as an ingredient and/or substitute by the agri-food industry because of its productivity and chemical properties, for example its ease of storage, melting point and lower price as a raw material.

    Collective responsibility: fully aware of the complexity of the issue of palm oil, Members emphasised the importance of developing a global solution based on the collective responsibility of many actors, including: the EU and other international organisations, the Member States, financial institutions, the governments of producer countries, indigenous people and local communities, national and multinational businesses involved in producing, distributing and processing palm oil, consumer associations, and NGOs. However, they emphasised the important role of the food industry to source sustainably produced alternatives.

    Zero-deforestation: Members noted that a number of commodity producers and traders, retailers and other intermediaries in the supply chain, including European companies, have made commitments in the areas of zero-deforestation production. However, they considered that efforts to halt deforestation must include local capacity-building, technological aid, the sharing of best practices between communities and support to help small-holders make the most effective use of their existing croplands. They stressed the strong potential of agro ecological practices to maximise ecosystem functions via mixed, high diversity planting, agroforestry and permaculture techniques, without resorting to input dependency or monocultures.

    Although Members welcomed the existence of various types of voluntary certification schemes (labels, etc), they considered that they are confusing for consumers and that the ultimate objective should be the development of a single certification scheme. They, therefore, called on the EU to create incentives to work towards a sustainable palm oil uptake of 100 % in Europe by 2020.

    Further recommendations: Members also made a series of recommendations all of which aim to increase the sustainability of global palm oil production, while respecting international commitments.

    Members called for, inter alia:

    • information campaigns on the positive environmental, social and political consequences of sustainable palm oil production;
    • the introduction of minimum sustainability criteria for palm oil and products containing palm oil that enter the EU market, making sure that palm oil in the EU;
    • the enhancement of traceability of palm oil imported into the EU;
    • the endorsement of the need, as part of the dialogue with those countries, to impose a freeze on the area under oil palm cultivation, including by introducing a moratorium on new concessions;
    • the implementation of effective corporate social and environmental responsibility measures for all producing companies;
    • the introduction of obligatory requirements favouring sustainable palm oil in all national public procurement procedures.

    Biofuels: lastly, Members noted with concern that 46 % of total palm oil imported by the EU is used for the production of biofuels and that this requires the use of about one million hectares of tropical soils. They called on the Commission to take measures to phase out the use of vegetable oils that drive deforestation, including palm oil, as a component of biofuels, preferably by 2020.

    Members noted that simply banning or phasing out the use of palm oil may give rise to replacement tropical vegetable oils being used for biofuel production, which would, in all probability, be grown in the same ecologically sensitive regions as palm oil and which may have a much higher impact on biodiversity, land use and greenhouse gas emissions than palm oil itself. They recommended finding and promoting more sustainable alternatives for biofuel use, such as European oils produced from domestically cultivated rape and sunflower seeds.

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