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The Oil Palm

The World Bank’s Wrong Turn

The World Bank has just released their long-awaited guidelines for engagement in the global palm oil sector. This announcement follows an 18-month consultation process, in which the Malaysian Palm Oil Council participated.

With their announcement they lifted the misguided suspension of financing for palm oil investments. This is commendable, but MPOC remains deeply disappointed by the outcome of the consultation process, and continues to voice its concern over the direction, … Read More

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The Oil Palm

NGO Campaign Wins Award for Misrepresenting Palm Oil

The International Forest Heroes Award was awarded to the anti-palm oil campaign this week.  The decision to award this prize was based on the premise that palm oil production from South East Asia is a threat to the orang-utan and that the industry is engaged in the destruction of tropical forests.

It calls for products like Girl Scout cookies to be palm oil free. This premise is not accurate. The … Read More

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The Oil Palm

US medical expert discovers the miracle of palm oil

American television talk show host and respected cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr Mehmet Oz, has recently discovered the ‘miraculous’ health benefits of red palm oil.
A recent episode of his widely viewed television show, the American doctor and Professor at Columbia University described the red color of the palm oil as a “stop sign for aging”. Dr Oz said that consuming the vegetable oil can fight the aging process, aid fat loss … Read More

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The Oil Palm

Europe’s Renewable Energy Directive and the Implications for Palm Oil

A recent editorial in Europe’s World entitled “Europe’s biofuels policy is protectionist and wrong-headed” by Fredrik Erixon, Director of the European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE), highlights very troubling developments coming out of the European Union – ones with dangerous consequences for the future use of palm oil-sourced biofuels.

Mr. Erixon’s concerns are with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED), the EU biofuels policy that is … Read More

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The Oil Palm

Feeding The World In The 21st Century

The oil palm is a remarkable crop, providing the most efficient oilseed that feeds millions throughout the world, while contributing to rural development and poverty alleviation. While Western consumers benefit from a low-cost, sustainable vegetable oil, smallholders in the developing world are prospering from the industry.

Right now, the world’s population is a staggering 6.8 billion people. That number is set to rise to nearly 9 billion – almost a … Read More

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The Oil Palm

The Oil Palm – Taking Malaysia’s Palm Oil Industry to New Levels

Today, The Oil Palm site was announced to counter online propaganda of NGOs against the palm oil industry and highlight the industry’s contributions to global economic development and food security.  Palm oil cultivation is helping developing countries develop, providing an inexpensive and healthy source of food and is helping to increase living standards.  And as one of the most energy efficient sources of renewable energy, palm oil based-biofuels are bringing … Read More