On 25 May 2021, RSPO held a series of two webinars to engage with stakeholders of the livestock sector, including feed producers, dairy and meat processors, retailers and sectoral associations. A robust attendance of over 200 registered participants, with nearly half of them joining live for one or both sessions, has proven that there is a much needed and beneficial space for discussion on the challenges of the livestock sector when it comes to the sustainable sourcing of palm oil and its derivatives.
Moderated by Inke van der Sluijs, RSPO Global Director, Market Transformation, the first session featured Jagjit Singh, Head of Sime Darby Oils Carey Island Kernel Crushing Plant - Sime Darby, who presented how a palm kernel crushing site operates and illustrated the different uses of Palm Kernel Expeller (PKE) in animal feed. He was followed by Henk Flipsen, Director of The Netherlands Feed Industry Association (NEVEDI), who showcased the best practices put in place by NEVEDI to support its membership base on proceeding with a rapid sustainable sourcing policy by purchasing RSPO credits.
An integrated approach to sourcing sustainable palm
The second session featured Judith Murdoch, Retained Associate of Efeca; who presented the latest data available for the UK market and stressed the need for better investigation on the volumes in the animal feed supply chain. Dr. Richard Kirkland, Global Technical Manager of Volac Wilmar Feed Ingredients, spoke about how fatty acids are a key component of the diet of lactating cows and how sustainable sourcing can also be applied to feed supplements. Finally, Barry Baetz, Director of Sales - Feed Division of Global Agri-Trade Corporation, concluded the session by highlighting the challenges from a North American perspective, and pledging the company’s commitment to have 100% of its animal products covered by RSPO credits by 2021.
Both sessions were concluded by answering questions of the participants and reinforcing the message that an integrated approach, where legislation also plays a role in supporting the transition to sustainable palm sourcing, is necessary. Concrete improvements can only be made only when all actors each take their own responsibility.
After the event, Inke van der Sluijs commented, “We have received positive feedback from our members and stakeholders. On one hand, this webinar series has proven to be informative and educational, and on the other hand, it was also an effective way to engage and revitalise our membership base and other stakeholders to look closer at a specific sector where oil palm based ingredients are relevant. We will definitely continue to provide our members with more of these kinds of sectoral events”
The webinar series was also an opportunity to present the new Livestock Sector factsheet developed by RSPO. The factsheet is a guide to all interested parties to assess and understand why there is a need for the sustainable sourcing of palm kernel expeller and other palm derivatives that are key for the animal feed industry. It also offers practical information on supply chain models and their availability, and how to start the sustainability journey with RSPO. The factsheet can be downloaded here.
If anyone has missed the event but would like to get the recordings or the material, please email [email protected].
