- New Report Reveals: It's the Practices, Not the Plants, That
Matter in Vegetable Oil Production
BANDAR SERI
BEGAWAN, Brunei, May 14, 2024
/CNW/ -- Few topics have provoked as many polarized views and
headlines as oil crops. These controversies span conservation,
human rights, and nutrition, but what does the evidence reveal? A
new report produced by Borneo Futures, the host
organization of the IUCN Oil Crops Task Force provides fresh
insights.
Oil crops, occupying 37% of global cropland, play a significant
role in biodiversity loss and are linked to various human rights
violations. However, they also serve as essential sources of income
and nutrition. With global vegetable oil demand projected to rise,
reaching 288 million tons by 2050, the need for sustainable
production practices is urgent.
The report underscores that all oil crops, including seemingly
benign ones like olive and coconut, can have negative impacts when
produced without regard for people or nature. Rather than
demonizing specific crops, attention should be directed towards
sustainable production practices.
"What this report shows is that positive outcomes can be
achieved with all oil crops. With the right investment, planning,
policies and improved crop production methods, oil crop areas can
offer substantial opportunities for reducing biodiversity loss,
addressing human rights issues and restoring nature," said
Professor Erik Meijaard, report lead
author and co-chair of IUCN's Oil Crops Task Force.
Using oil palm as an example, he illustrates how this crop, when
managed in African forests and village gardens, contrasts starkly
with its cultivation in monocultures that replace biodiverse Asian
forests when not adopting sustainability practices. "it is not the
palm, but the context in which it is grown, that determines the
impacts", he said.
Malika Virah-Sawmy, co-chair of the IUCN Oil Crops Task Force,
challenges the narrative that categorizes certain oil crops as
inherently good or bad. Instead, she urges stakeholders to focus on
production practices rather than demonizing specific crops.
The report has some surprising findings. Areas currently
cultivating maize and coconut present significant opportunities for
reducing extinction risks of threatened species. Yet, the
concentration of power in the global grain trade, with just four
companies controlling 75-95%, poses challenges to equitable
agricultural practices.
While impacts from crops like oil palm and soybean are
well-documented, others like peanuts and sesame remain understudied
despite their association with ecosystem conversion and human
rights concerns. This lack of data underscores the importance of
informed public discourse to avoid unjustified polarization.
In a rapidly growing oil market, understanding the complexities
of production is crucial for making sustainable choices. The report
aims to fill some of the existing gaps in knowledge while
recognizing the need for further research to address remaining
blind spots.
Professor Douglas Sheil said "we
need to shift the focus from what's planted to how it's grown,
traded, marketed and consumed. This report is our first attempt to
overview practices, impacts and standards and
what can be done".
In a world where the choices we make impact ecosystems and
communities globally, understanding the complexities of vegetable
oil production is essential for creating a sustainable future.
Concerned people should download the free report, inform themselves
about the complex world of vegetable oils, and learn what they can
do themselves.
The study was funded independently by Soremartec SA and
Soremartec Italia S.r.l., Ferrero Group, and offers a comprehensive
overview of practices, impacts, and standards in vegetable oil
production.
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SOURCE Borneo Futures