NZ Dairy Linked to Deforestation in Protected Orangutan Reserve
Source: dairynews.today
Greenpeace Aotearoa highlights New Zealand dairy's involvement in deforestation in a wildlife reserve featured in David Attenborough's documentary.
Greenpeace Aotearoa has raised concerns over New Zealand dairy's connection to deforestation activities within the Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve, a key setting in David Attenborough's orangutan documentary, "Secret Lives of Orangutans."
The organization reports that two companies exporting to New Zealand sourced palm kernel from mills purchasing illegally grown products in the reserve as of September 2024. This reserve harbors endangered species like the Sumatran tiger and orangutan.
Greenpeace's spokesperson Sinéad Deighton-O’Flynn criticized the New Zealand dairy industry's reliance on such products, highlighting that the country is the world's largest importer of palm kernel, with nearly 2 million tonnes imported annually for dairy cattle feed.
Rainforest Action Network's 2024 investigation found 653 hectares of illegal oil palm plantations in the reserve, with 453 hectares already productive. Between 2023-2024, major exporters Apical and Musim Mas purchased palm kernel from PT. Global Sawit Semesta, known for trading products grown within the reserve. Greenpeace insists that Fonterra's assertion of clean, green, and grass-fed practices is misleading, as its cows' diets can consist of up to 20% palm kernel.
Despite claims of "no deforestation" policies by suppliers, the issue persists, leading Greenpeace to demand a complete phase-out of palm kernel use. They argue that murky supply chains make it impossible to ensure their practices don't contribute to rainforest destruction, urging a ban to prevent further wildlife habitat loss.
The organization reports that two companies exporting to New Zealand sourced palm kernel from mills purchasing illegally grown products in the reserve as of September 2024. This reserve harbors endangered species like the Sumatran tiger and orangutan.
Greenpeace's spokesperson Sinéad Deighton-O’Flynn criticized the New Zealand dairy industry's reliance on such products, highlighting that the country is the world's largest importer of palm kernel, with nearly 2 million tonnes imported annually for dairy cattle feed.
Rainforest Action Network's 2024 investigation found 653 hectares of illegal oil palm plantations in the reserve, with 453 hectares already productive. Between 2023-2024, major exporters Apical and Musim Mas purchased palm kernel from PT. Global Sawit Semesta, known for trading products grown within the reserve. Greenpeace insists that Fonterra's assertion of clean, green, and grass-fed practices is misleading, as its cows' diets can consist of up to 20% palm kernel.
Despite claims of "no deforestation" policies by suppliers, the issue persists, leading Greenpeace to demand a complete phase-out of palm kernel use. They argue that murky supply chains make it impossible to ensure their practices don't contribute to rainforest destruction, urging a ban to prevent further wildlife habitat loss.
