Comments on: RSPO Dispatch: Cargill’s message to local communities – We have no time for you http://understory.ran.org/2009/11/05/rspo-dispatch-cargills-message-to-local-communities-we-have-no-time-for-you/ The Understory is the official blog of Rainforest Action Network. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:21:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: The Understory » Kids Tell General Mills: ♥Have a Heart ♥ http://understory.ran.org/2009/11/05/rspo-dispatch-cargills-message-to-local-communities-we-have-no-time-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-400617 The Understory » Kids Tell General Mills: ♥Have a Heart ♥ Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:06:57 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/?p=4788#comment-400617 [...] are doing everything right, but we know that’s not the case. For more info, check out our posts about rainforest destruction caused by Cargill, General Mills’ palm oil supplier. A [...] [...] are doing everything right, but we know that’s not the case. For more info, check out our posts about rainforest destruction caused by Cargill, General Mills’ palm oil supplier. A [...]

]]> By: The Understory » Unilever, world’s largest palm oil buyer, shows leadership http://understory.ran.org/2009/11/05/rspo-dispatch-cargills-message-to-local-communities-we-have-no-time-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-389382 The Understory » Unilever, world’s largest palm oil buyer, shows leadership Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:44:11 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/?p=4788#comment-389382 [...] earth. Local communities reject their palm oil plantations in Indonesian and Papua New Guinea, and Cargill recently refused to meet with impacted community members at this year’s RSPO. It is time for Cargill to take a step in the right direction. Cargill, are you ready? Or will you [...] [...] earth. Local communities reject their palm oil plantations in Indonesian and Papua New Guinea, and Cargill recently refused to meet with impacted community members at this year’s RSPO. It is time for Cargill to take a step in the right direction. Cargill, are you ready? Or will you [...]

]]> By: Transitions… « where adventure and sensuality meet her spirit flourishes http://understory.ran.org/2009/11/05/rspo-dispatch-cargills-message-to-local-communities-we-have-no-time-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-387038 Transitions… « where adventure and sensuality meet her spirit flourishes Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:51:33 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/?p=4788#comment-387038 [...] The lack of progress and dialogue around the production of sustainable, fully segregated palm oil brought up critical questions about the legitimacy and intentions of the RSPO, including key members... Our representative at the meeting, David Gilbert, reported that Cargill refused to meet with [...] [...] The lack of progress and dialogue around the production of sustainable, fully segregated palm oil brought up critical questions about the legitimacy and intentions of the RSPO, including key members… Our representative at the meeting, David Gilbert, reported that Cargill refused to meet with [...]

]]> By: Andrew http://understory.ran.org/2009/11/05/rspo-dispatch-cargills-message-to-local-communities-we-have-no-time-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-384410 Andrew Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:11:51 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/?p=4788#comment-384410 Let's take a step back and understand what RSPO means before defending shall we? RSPO is groundbreaking in its level of commitment to sustainability and in bringing together groups from conflicting background to meet and talk. That is what RSPO is fundamentally about. Nobody's taking sides. Therfore Moorthy's statement: "The RSPO is not the forum for the villagers to meet with William Griffiths" is not just factually incorrect, but is akin to a smack in the face of RSPO, and to ALL its members. I was at RT7, and I witnessed meetings between various villagers, stakeholders with palm oil producers, buyers, etc. mainly because these supply chain actors truly understood the meaning of RSPO, and, finally see the value of engagement and dialogue. Unfortunately, CTP failed to understand the opportunity and seize the moment to do something that is morally right. The fact CTP inherited problems is neither new nor unique in Indonesia. We can all point to at least 10 examples of such things where the initial developers sold not just their property, but also headaches. Readers are also aware that the expectation of responsibility lies squarely on the shoulders of the land-owners, regardless of whether they caused the problem or otherwise. In fact, blame yourselves for purchasing an estate with social conflicts. But, very clearly the examples in RSPO show unequivocally that no matter who caused the problem initially, as an RSPO member CTP is duty bound to address them constructively, and through dialogue. Everyone knows that large multinationals and plantations have multiple layers of managers at plantation level, but as also has been clearly shown in RSPO many times this level of management fails to meet the corporate targets for issues like sustainability. So where is the harm in meeting with the villagers? I see no relevance in plastering over the problem by saying CTP is a leader in health and safety. This is about CTP's track record in engagement as well as impact on communities ON THE GROUND!! It is shameful and reprehensible that the representative from such a rich multinational like Cargill did not even make time to meet with villagers who were assisted to reach the venue in order to plead their case through civil and constructive, face-to-face dialogue. Other RSPO members did, why didn't Cargill? Let’s take a step back and understand what RSPO means before defending shall we?

RSPO is groundbreaking in its level of commitment to sustainability and in bringing together groups from conflicting background to meet and talk. That is what RSPO is fundamentally about. Nobody’s taking sides. Therfore Moorthy’s statement: “The RSPO is not the forum for the villagers to meet with William Griffiths” is not just factually incorrect, but is akin to a smack in the face of RSPO, and to ALL its members.

I was at RT7, and I witnessed meetings between various villagers, stakeholders with palm oil producers, buyers, etc. mainly because these supply chain actors truly understood the meaning of RSPO, and, finally see the value of engagement and dialogue.

Unfortunately, CTP failed to understand the opportunity and seize the moment to do something that is morally right.

The fact CTP inherited problems is neither new nor unique in Indonesia. We can all point to at least 10 examples of such things where the initial developers sold not just their property, but also headaches. Readers are also aware that the expectation of responsibility lies squarely on the shoulders of the land-owners, regardless of whether they caused the problem or otherwise.

In fact, blame yourselves for purchasing an estate with social conflicts.

But, very clearly the examples in RSPO show unequivocally that no matter who caused the problem initially, as an RSPO member CTP is duty bound to address them constructively, and through dialogue. Everyone knows that large multinationals and plantations have multiple layers of managers at plantation level, but as also has been clearly shown in RSPO many times this level of management fails to meet the corporate targets for issues like sustainability.

So where is the harm in meeting with the villagers?

I see no relevance in plastering over the problem by saying CTP is a leader in health and safety. This is about CTP’s track record in engagement as well as impact on communities ON THE GROUND!!

It is shameful and reprehensible that the representative from such a rich multinational like Cargill did not even make time to meet with villagers who were assisted to reach the venue in order to plead their case through civil and constructive, face-to-face dialogue. Other RSPO members did, why didn’t Cargill?

]]> By: K. M. Suriya Moorthy http://understory.ran.org/2009/11/05/rspo-dispatch-cargills-message-to-local-communities-we-have-no-time-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-382989 K. M. Suriya Moorthy Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:43:00 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/?p=4788#comment-382989 These two plantations were developed by Indonesian Companies in the early 90s. CDC then took a majority stake in one of these Companies in the late 90s. Cargill took a majority stake in the other Company late 90s. CDC then divested its majority stake in these Companies to CTP (Cargill) in late 2005. Its factually and indeed, morally incorrect to state that Cargill has taken the land away from the villagers! CDC and later Cargill have made immense contributions through their CSR and Community Development programmes to significantly improve the lives of the villagers/communities in the areas where the plantations operate. CDC and later Cargill are also pioneers in establishing wildlife corridors within the plantation concession. Indeed, contributions are made to the sustainability of wildlife preservation efforts by certain responsibe and active NGOs in this area of preservation. RSPO certification was done and if this was granted by RSPO, the certification body is certainly of very high repute. Readers need be aware that Cargill is a leader in Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) protocols to the extent that Managers found in lapse of their EHS responsibilities face stern disciplinary action including a high probability of summary dismissal. Cargill takes their responsibilities to communities and the hoct countries very seriously and will not breach any laws. Its unfair to attack William Griffiths as he was attending the RSPO Roundtable meet. If the villagers travelled to Kuala Lumpur for the RSPO, they certainly must have been sponsored by an interested party. The RSPO is not the forum for the villagers to meet with William Griffiths. Cargill has their respective Department Managers to address issues like these. It must not be forgotten that these villagers were adequately compensated for the land alienated to the then Indonesian Company in return for which co-operatives were formed, oil palm plantations on the plasma concept developed and handed over to the villagers. I know William Griffiths and I do not for a moment believe that he has in any way stated that "Cargill has no interest in improving their negative practices, no interest in the welfare of local communities at their plantations". Its simply untrue! Readers need be aware that Cargill (CTP) is fully committed to the implementation of the RSPO P&C in all of their plantations in Indonesia & PNG. These two plantations were developed by Indonesian Companies in the early 90s. CDC then took a majority stake in one of these Companies in the late 90s. Cargill took a majority stake in the other Company late 90s. CDC then divested its majority stake in these Companies to CTP (Cargill) in late 2005. Its factually and indeed, morally incorrect to state that Cargill has taken the land away from the villagers! CDC and later Cargill have made immense contributions through their CSR and Community Development programmes to significantly improve the lives of the villagers/communities in the areas where the plantations operate. CDC and later Cargill are also pioneers in establishing wildlife corridors within the plantation concession. Indeed, contributions are made to the sustainability of wildlife preservation efforts by certain responsibe and active NGOs in this area of preservation. RSPO certification was done and if this was granted by RSPO, the certification body is certainly of very high repute. Readers need be aware that Cargill is a leader in Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) protocols to the extent that Managers found in lapse of their EHS responsibilities face stern disciplinary action including a high probability of summary dismissal. Cargill takes their responsibilities to communities and the hoct countries very seriously and will not breach any laws. Its unfair to attack William Griffiths as he was attending the RSPO Roundtable meet. If the villagers travelled to Kuala Lumpur for the RSPO, they certainly must have been sponsored by an interested party. The RSPO is not the forum for the villagers to meet with William Griffiths. Cargill has their respective Department Managers to address issues like these. It must not be forgotten that these villagers were adequately compensated for the land alienated to the then Indonesian Company in return for which co-operatives were formed, oil palm plantations on the plasma concept developed and handed over to the villagers. I know William Griffiths and I do not for a moment believe that he has in any way stated that “Cargill has no interest in improving their negative practices, no interest in the welfare of local communities at their plantations”. Its simply untrue! Readers need be aware that Cargill (CTP) is fully committed to the implementation of the RSPO P&C in all of their plantations in Indonesia & PNG.

]]> By: gustafo http://understory.ran.org/2009/11/05/rspo-dispatch-cargills-message-to-local-communities-we-have-no-time-for-you/comment-page-1/#comment-382891 gustafo Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:45:54 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/?p=4788#comment-382891 thanks for your artikel thanks for your artikel

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