Rainforest Action Network says real action now needed to truly halt deforestation in supply chain
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 4, 2014
CONTACT: Laurel Sutherlin, Laurel@ran.org (U.S. +1.415.246.0161)
San Francisco, CA – Rainforest Action Network (RAN) responded today to the new palm oil commitment released by Musim Mas Group by calling on the company to turn its new pledge into real action by demanding that all of its suppliers halt deforestation immediately.
Musim Mas’ close connection to Conflict Palm Oil was recently exposed in a report released by RAN titled,The Last Place on EarthExposing the Threats to the Leuser Ecosystem: A Global Biodiversity Hotspot Deserving Protection.
“The Leuser Ecosystem is one of the world’s most richly biodiverse landscapes and the source of food, water and livelihoods for millions of people. But the fate of this crown jewel of Indonesia – home to tigers, orangutans, rhinos, elephants and sun bears – depends on actions taken by Musim Mas right now,” says Gemma Tillack, agribusiness campaign director with Rainforest Action Network.
“This new commitment marks a positive step forward for Musim Mas Group, but as the palm oil trader most at risk of trafficking Conflict Palm Oil connected to deforestation in the Leuser Ecosystem, the company must now break its ties with all suppliers involved in the destruction of this irreplaceable treasure.”
Musim Mas Group is a large company involved in every step of palm oil production. It owns plantations and processing facilities in Indonesia and ships palm oil to buyers across the globe, including to the Snack Food 20 group of companies targeted by RAN’s Conflict Palm Oil campaign.
RAN will continue to hold Musim Mas to account until the company breaks the links between the palm oil it produces and sells and deforestation, climate pollution and the abuse of Indigenous peoples, local communities and workers.
###
Rainforest Action Network runs hard-hitting campaigns to break North America’s fossil fuels addiction, protect endangered forests and Indigenous rights, and stop destructive investments around the world through education, grassroots organizing, and non-violent direct action. For more information, please visit:www.ran.org