Government offers incentives for adopting MSPO certification
PETALING JAYA: The government is offering incentives to facilitate and help reduce the audit costs of obtaining the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification.
In a statement yesterday, the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry said audit costs incentives of up to 70% would be offered to estates with planted area above 40.46ha to 1,000ha.
Additionally, an audit cost incentive of up to 30% would be given to estates above 1,001ha, as well as those processing facilities such as mills, refineries and crushers.
“As of Aug 2017, the total planted area that has been certified under the MSPO certification scheme is 245,381ha.
The certified area includes 237,509ha under plantation companies, 3,868ha under organised smallholders, and 4,004ha under independent smallholders.
“In addition, a total of 22 mills have also been MSPO-certified,” the ministry said.
It added that Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong held a dialogue session with representatives of oil palm plantation companies on Sept 27, with the objective of getting feedback and views from them on MSPO.
“This session was attended by more than 120 industry players representing small and medium-sized oil palm estates in Malaysia. The industry players were briefed on the main features of the MSPO Certification Scheme, including the MSPO standards and requirements, as well as certification procedures.
“At the briefing, while some concerns were raised, the participants generally pledged their support for the efforts undertaken by the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry and the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council to facilitate the implementation of MSPO certification,” it added.
Details on the incentives are available at www.mpob.gov.my