Netherlands Pledges to Use Only Palm Oil by 2015

AMSTERDAM, The NetherlandsThe Netherlands has committed to use only certified sustainable palm oil by the end of 2015, making it the first time an entire country has committed to using the sustainable food ingredient. All Dutch palm oil suppliers and buyers, collectively known as the Dutch Taskforce Sustainable Palm Oil, will work toward the 5-year goal.

According to the Manifesto of the Task Force Sustainable Palm Oil, palm oil used in The Netherlands will have to be certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), an international industry-led body formed in 2004 that develops global standards for sustainable palm oil. The Dutch Task Force was initiated by the Dutch Product Board for Margarine, Fats and Oils (MVO), which also participates in the global RSPO.

Task force participants include associations representing the Dutch refining industry, food manufacturing industry and feed industry, which represent a significant share of the Dutch palm oil market.

Dutch business has long been closely involved in efforts to make the palm oil supply chain more sustainable. The country has been one of the front runners in this respect," said Frans Claassen, director of MVO. Now, we commit ourselves to acting on our beliefs. Over the next few years, we will work very hard to ensure that all palm oil used in the Netherlands will be sustainable by the end of 2015. In other words, that it is purchased in accordance with one of the trading systems approved by the RSPO."