VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The European Union –EU appreciates the standard of Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil -ISPO. Head of the ISPO Commission Secretariat, Azis Hidayat said in Jakarta on Friday (10/5) that for two days from 8 until  9 May, nine European Union member countries: Belgium, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, Hungary, the Netherlands and Britain and The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative visited ISPO members of oil palm plantations in Riau province. The visit which was attended by the embassy representatives was an activity initiated by the American and European Directorate General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide understanding and concrete evidence of the application of the ISPO as Indonesia's commitment to implement sustainability schemes. During the visit, the European Union actively engaged in dialogue with oil palm stakeholders starting from the government, businesspeople and farmers.During the dialogue with the palm oil farmers, the European Union began to understand that ISPO is an important part of Indonesia's commitment to be able to increase the production of fresh fruit bunches up to 50 percent, improve quality and encourage high selling prices. They really appreciate that. Aziz said that the European Union praised ISPO member farmers who have good technical knowledge regarding productive and sustainable palm oil management. In fact, the European Union encourages more farmers to be involved in the ISPO scheme. Because oil palm plantations in Indonesia are an important part of people's economy with more than 40 percent of farmers' oil palm plantations.Aziz Hidayat also pointed out that from the visit, the European Union understood more about the Indonesian government being transparent and committed to sustainable management. Even the European Union has just learned that ISPO adopts not only international principles, but also standards above the average criteria required by international certification agencies. The Indonesian government also provides an understanding that palm oil production with ISPO schemes has a major role to reduce deforestation and improve environmental conditions. Aziz ensured that all ISPO certification systems refer to international standards and conformity assessments based on the National Accreditation Committee.Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Fiscal Division of the Indonesian Palm Oil Businessmen Association (GAPKI), Bambang Aria Wisena hopes that ISPO becomes the main platform for the sustainability of the Indonesian palm oil industry. As a mandatory certificate, ISPO with strict regulatory controls greatly helps the palm oil industry increase productivity in a sustainable, responsible and legal manner. Bambang Aria Wisena also emphasized that the strengthening of ISPO is an important part of maintaining Indonesia's position as the world's largest palm oil producer and the highest-earning commodity producer in Indonesia.