Last month, food giant Nestlé was suspended from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, the world’s largest association for ethical production of the commodity.
It didn’t last long.
Last week, the RSPO announced it would reinstate Nestlé’s membership after the company pledged to use, by 2023, only that palm oil which the roundtable has certified as sustainably produced.
“Nestlé has pledged to step up their efforts in working actively on solutions within the RSPO system, via active participation,” RSPO chief Darrel Webber said in a statement. “We trust that by working collectively we are able to realize a sustainable, respectful and responsible palm oil industry,” he added.
The Switzerland-headquartered company had been suspended for failing to pay dues worth some $2,350 and submit progress reports.
The RSPO was established by environmental groups and industry representatives in 2004 in an attempt to push back against destructive practices by oil palm growers, such as deforestation and land grabbing.
The RSPO’s membership includes plantation companies, refiners and traders of palm oil, and firms like Nestlé that use the edible oil in their products. It also has a central management body tasked with holding member firms accountable.
This story was published with permission from Mongabay.com
