Colombia’s palm oil industry asks govt. for help despite environmental and human rights criticisms
Colombia’s palm oil industry asks govt. for help despite environmental and human rights criticisms
Jun 10, 2014 posted by Arthi Nachiappan
Colombia’s palm oil producers have called on the country’s government to protect the sector’s profitability amid the rising local currency, and continuing environmental and ethical concerns surrounding the industry, national media reported on Tuesday.
The director of the country’s Oil Palm Growers Federation (Fedepalma) made the call from the Federation’s 48th National Congress from the western city of Cali, pointing to the adverse effects of the rising Colombian Peso, which hit a 6-month high in May, making the local product appear increasingly expensive to foreign buyers.
Speaking from Cali on Tuesday, President of Fedepalma, Jens Mesa Dishington, stated that “The appreciation of the exchange rate has harmed our country’s competitiveness in a number of sectors” Caracol Radio reported.
“Given current exchange rate, there is little potential for creating productive employment,” he added.
However, Colombia’s palm oil industry — the fifth largest in the world — has also been challenged by ongoing environmental concerns regarding mass deforestation, and its alleged links to paramilitary groups during the country’s longstanding armed conflict.
More:
http://colombiareports.co/government-support-profit-colombias-palm-oil-producers/
