Soppoa backs move to get recognition for MSPO certification
KUCHING: The Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association ( Soppoa) fully supports the government’s move to attain recognition for Malaysian certified sustainable palm oil with the mandatory certification for the palm oil industry by the end of 2019.
The association said this in a statement yesterday following Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong’s recent statement that the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil ( MSPO) certification for the industry showed the government’s commitment in ensuring that all palm oil produced and exported from Malaysia would be certified for the international market.
“As the international market for palm oil demands sustainably produced oil, Malaysia is taking steps to meet the requirements with mandatory MSPO certification for the industry, which can lead to good premium pricing for our oil,” said a Soppoa spokesperson.
“The certification scheme is also good as it will ensure that producers adopt Good Agricultural Practices as mandated. Soppoa members have embarked on the certification process enthusiastically, with some already receiving their certification for estates and mills.”
However, the spokesperson also pointed out that Soppoa is not only committed to ensuring that its members adopt the MSPO certification, but also including independent planters ( smallholders) into adopting MSPO.
“The minister ( Mah) also pointed out that smallholders can get MSPO certification for free, with an incentive of
As the international market for palm oil demands sustainably produced oil, Malaysia is taking steps to meet the requirements with mandatory MSPO certification for the industry, which can lead to good premium pricing for our oil. Soppoa spokesperson
RM130 million allocated by the government for the purpose. In fact, Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council ( MPOCC) chairman Datuk M Nagarajan had also confirmed that the government would absorb the entire cost related to MSPO certification for smallholders,” the spokesperson said, quoting a news article reported by a national daily on Dec 11.
The MPOCC is an independent non- profit organisation established to develop and operate the MSPO certification scheme.
To assist these smallholders who are also suppliers of fresh fruit bunches ( FFBs) to the mills, Soppoa is working with the relevant authorities to educate them on the need for MSPO certification.
“It is crucial for all involved in the industry to be certified – large estates and smallholders alike – as we are all in the same industry. Furthermore with MSPO being a mandatory scheme, we are confident that Malaysian palm oil will be accepted by the international market as being sustainablyproduced throughout the whole supply chain process,” the spokesperson added.
In line with the education aspect of adopting MSPO, the association is planning to hold seminars for smallholders on MSPO certification with the relevant authorities next year.
On other areas of Soppoa’s collaboration with the smallholders, the spokesperson noted that estate managers readily provide advice and information on best agricultural practices as well as overcoming pests and diseases affecting their palms.
“Mill managers usually advise the smallholders on the quality of the FFBs supplied to the mills to enhance their value, as well as income for the smallholders. Cash payments for crops delivered to mills provide convenience to smallholders, while some mills even provide relatively cheaper fertilisers to the smallholders who deliver crops to their mills.”
The spokesperson said the estate and mill managers are also the usual reference points for the smallholders when it comes to understanding government policies and requirements like MSPO certification due to their frequent contacts.
“Hence, smallholders benefit from the input provided by the estates and mills to make improvements on their estates and also the fruits produced.
“Due to the collective efforts of planters, millers and refiners, the implementation of MSPO will bring about positive effects in the whole industry and provide a brand recognition for Malaysian palm oil in the market,” said the spokesperson.