MSPO must be dynamic, keep up with global priorities to add value to palm oil sector — Johari

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) – the new name for the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council – has been urged to focus on three matters to ensure that the council will be able to continue to provide added value to the nation’s palm oil industry.

Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said MSPO, among others, should be dynamic and keep abreast of the rapidly evolving global priorities.

“The ministry will ensure the MSPO certification scheme is being continuously improved so that it remains relevant in meeting international sustainability standards, especially with regard to elements such as traceability, deforestation-free, legitimate land ownership and good labour practices,” he said in his speech for the MSPO 10th anniversary celebration yesterday.

Johari’s speech was read by the ministry’s deputy secretarygeneral (strategic planning and management) Datuk Abdul Hadi Omar.

Johari also welcomed the MSPO 2.0 standards, an initiative to enhance the certification’s credibility through the incorporation of new elements such as High Conservation Value (HCV), Social Impact Assessment (SIA), Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions as well as elements to address forced and child labour issues. —