BINGO self-regulation doesnot work for PNG

Bloggers will see the large post we did on the RSPO 2nd draft criteria for oil palm.

As a group which has been associated with these BINGO-led self regulation voluntary industrial schemes for about 8 years, we think we are able to judge the likely effect in Papua New Guinea of this type of arrangment.

So have a look at the RSPO fine-print, if you have a spare 2 hours.

While your thinking about whether or not you do have a spare two hours: here is a short appraisal

First point

voluntary regulation is no regulation.

It simply does not work in Papua New Guinea, or indeed elsewhere.

Second point

big industrials do as they please in PNG; there is no effective government in Papua New Guinea, when it comes to pollution and socal disruption by industry.

with the pollution of the Jaba River, no government intervention, only government approval; no company self-regulation: We had a civil war on that, in Bougainville.

Third point

we joined the BINGOs 8 years ago in the search for voluntary timber industry criteria (FSC).

Where did that get us?

FSC certified RH in New Zealand!

FSC secretariat rejecting the Papua New Guinea Eco Forest Forum's appeal.

Oil palm is not a problem of industrial regulation, whether by law or by agreement.

Oil palm is about the nature of industrialism and the export of a raw material as a basic imput for manufacturing, and cheap products, outside of PNG.

We need to take development beyond exporting raw materials, industrialism, and follow the pattern for development described so well by the Constitutional Review Commission, who drafted the National Goals and Directive Principles.

We need to concern ourselves with food production in
Papua New Guinea to feed Papua New Guineans
from land owned and farmed by
Papua New Guinean communities!