Recently I wrote to some of the large supermarkets that are members of the RSPO to get their response on the issue of palm oil. Today, I recieved a letter from ASDA. This is what they had to say:
"As a major retailer we take our corporate responsibilities extremely seriously and always act responsibly in terms of putting matters concerning the environment and animal welface ahead of company profits.
The major challenge faced by all manufacturers and retailers, and recognised by organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund and Friends of the Earth, is that sustainable palm oil is available only in very small quantities. However, if Orangutans, Gibbons and other wild animals are under threat it's apparent something needs to be done. It's important that reputable companies which produce sustainable palm oil are encouraged to expand the availability of their product and so promote and protect the diverse environments in which these species live.
We're engaged in discussions with two major organisations - namely Friends of the Earth and World Wildlife Fund. We hope to assist them over the coming months in identifying the source of this issue and encouraging the development and use of sustainable palm oil.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact us and I hope we can support any efforts in finding resolutions to this matter before it's too late. Please let me know if I can help further."
I was surprised to hear back from any of them, particularly so soon and although it wasn't directly from the CEO, it is a reply. However, my main questions such as:
How many products do you stock (own brand and other) contain palm oil?
Why is palm oil not labelled to give people the choice?
Why do you use palm oil at all until it is sustainable?
Were simply ignored.
I feel I might take her up on 'Please let me know if I can help further'.
"As a major retailer we take our corporate responsibilities extremely seriously and always act responsibly in terms of putting matters concerning the environment and animal welface ahead of company profits.
The major challenge faced by all manufacturers and retailers, and recognised by organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund and Friends of the Earth, is that sustainable palm oil is available only in very small quantities. However, if Orangutans, Gibbons and other wild animals are under threat it's apparent something needs to be done. It's important that reputable companies which produce sustainable palm oil are encouraged to expand the availability of their product and so promote and protect the diverse environments in which these species live.
We're engaged in discussions with two major organisations - namely Friends of the Earth and World Wildlife Fund. We hope to assist them over the coming months in identifying the source of this issue and encouraging the development and use of sustainable palm oil.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact us and I hope we can support any efforts in finding resolutions to this matter before it's too late. Please let me know if I can help further."
I was surprised to hear back from any of them, particularly so soon and although it wasn't directly from the CEO, it is a reply. However, my main questions such as:
How many products do you stock (own brand and other) contain palm oil?
Why is palm oil not labelled to give people the choice?
Why do you use palm oil at all until it is sustainable?
Were simply ignored.
I feel I might take her up on 'Please let me know if I can help further'.
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