RSPO is still dogged by lack of oversight, lack punishment for cheaters, fundamental conflicts (for example, abiding by RSPO rules on sparing of high conservation value forest technically put Indonesian growers in violation of Indonesian law which requires concession holders to develop all land for plantations) and the perception, among critics, that its primary function is to legitimize continued expansion. (news.mongabay.com)
(04/21/2014) Plantation giant Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL) continued to source fiber produced by destruction of high conservation value forests in Sumatra right up until it committed to a new forest conservation policy, according to an investigation by Eyes of the Forest, a coalition of environmental groups in Riau. (news.mongabay.com)
These include using natural pests and composting in place of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers whenever possible, implementing no burn policies, sparing high conservation value forests from development, taking measures to reduce air pollution, and creating catchment ponds to prevent palm oil mill effluent from entering waterways where it would damage aquatic habitats. (news.mongabay.com)