The EU’s Version of Cooperation on Palm Oil The European Commission launched its Indonesian ‘Blue Book’ – a broader strategy on bilateral development cooperation – earlier this month. The launch is generally a time of EU self-congratulation. This year, however, it was overshadowed by the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). The Blue Book generally makes broad […]

The European Parliamentary Elections: Implications for the Industry The European elections took place last week (23rd to 26th May), and the new makeup of the European Parliament announces change. This will have serious implications for the attitude towards palm oil going forward – both within the Parliament itself and, by association, within the European Commission. A change in […]

RSPO Smallholder Standard: Consultation Closing RSPO’s third round of consultations for its smallholder standard is about to close – on June 8. The consultation represents the end of another stage of what has been a particularly long road in the implementation of its smallholder strategy. Since its inception, RSPO had a difficult relationship with smallholders. […]