Peru aims to eliminate palm oil deforestation by 2021

[Judi Lynn]

by Genevieve Belmaker on 23 August 2019

. . .

Last week, the Peruvian Palm Oil Producers’ Association (JUNPALMA) promised to enter into an agreement for sustainable and deforestation-free palm oil production. The promise was secured by the US-based National Wildlife Federation in collaboration with the local government, growers, and the independent conservation organization Sociedad Peruana de Ecodesarrollo.

If JUNPALMA honors the deforestation-free agreement, Peru will be the second country in South America after Colombia to make such a commitment.

The announcement was made during IX Expo Amazonica, which is focused on the promotion and debate over the Peruvian Amazon’s sustainable development. If successful, Peru could be palm oil deforestation-free by 2021, according to the NWF.

During the expo, Peru’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Gustavo Mostajo reportedly said that the national government aims to develop deforestation-free agriculture with a focus on family farms and small producers.

More:
https://news.mongabay.com/2019/08/peru-aims-to-eliminate-palm-oil-deforestation-by-2021/

[Lulu KC]

1. Good news

Thank you for posting. We need all the hope we can get right now.

[Beringia]

2. I don't understand this plan

So farmers are growing palm oil, and no one is cutting down forests? Didn't the farmers have to cut down forests to get their farm land and won't more farmers want land too to grow more palm oil?

I can be slow on the uptake, but I don't get it.

"The national government aims to develop deforestation-free agriculture with a focus on family farms and small producers.

Palm oil smallholder farmers function as independent palm producers and sell palm to nearby plantations."

(Nearby plantations? Plantations of what?)