Resolution 6f calling for ‘Review and amendment of the updated NPP process as applied to smallholders’ submitted by Solidaridad and Setara Jambi was passed at the RSPO GA13 held in Bangkok on 10 November, 2016. The Resolution called for RSPO to immediately announce a reprieve from the new planting procedures (NPP) for all smallholders – Independent, Scheme or Associated – until a review of the updated NPP guidance document is completed within 6 months of the announcement.
Since then, the RSPO Secretariat has been working with various Working Groups to develop the necessary procedures and appropriate guidance documents. As a result, RSPO Secretariat developed a proposed draft on NPP procedure for smallholders as well as the requested tools, in collaboration with the Smallholder Working Group (SHWG), Emission Reduction Working Group (ERWG) and members from the Biodiversity and High Conservation Value Working Group (BHCVWG), including a 60-day public consultation. These documents were presented to BoG for endorsement, resulting in further comments about the proposed applicability of both the procedure, as well as the tools for smallholders pertaining to all current land uses, and consistency with the RSPO Smallholder Strategy, most notably, the emerging Smallholder Interim Group (SHIG) approach to simplifying the certification approach, smallholder inclusion, and smallholder livelihood support.
The BoG proposed that a final solution be explored in line with the new P&C and the current development of the simplified Smallholder approach.
In their meeting on 27 June 2018, the BoG deliberated the proposal further and has come up with the following decisions:
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The RSPO Secretariat review the NPP Procedure for smallholders along with the approach and within the timelines of the ongoing P&C review and the development of the new Smallholder Standard;
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RSPO Secretariat obtained advice from SHWG, ERWG and BHCVWG and endorsement from Supply Chain Standards and Certification [notably eNGO board members], in parallel with the P&C review process; and reports to BoG for endorsement, highlighting any contentious issues, considerations, and proposed solutions;
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For smallholders falling under the mill’s P&C Certificate (existing or new certificate): the BoG endorsed the tools for use (i.e. the generic NPP applies, tools are supportive); and
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For all other smallholders: the BoG extends the exemption from NPP submissions until the new P&C and the new Smallholder Standard is in place (i.e. the continued small-scale, low impact risks are accepted).
For further information, please contact RSPO Secretariat via email to [email protected]
