

Currently released so far... 12478 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AU
ASEC
AE
AF
AORC
AEMR
AMGT
ABUD
AFFAIRS
APER
AS
AMED
AY
AG
AR
AJ
AL
AID
AM
AODE
ABLD
AMG
AFIN
ATRN
AGAO
AFU
AN
AA
ALOW
APECO
ADM
ARF
ASEAN
APEC
AMBASSADOR
AO
ASUP
AZ
AADP
ACOA
ANET
AMCHAMS
ACABQ
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APCS
AGMT
AINF
AIT
AORL
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ACBAQ
AFGHANISTAN
ADANA
ADPM
AX
ADCO
AECL
AMEX
ACAO
ASCH
AORG
AGR
AROC
ASIG
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
BL
BR
BO
BA
BD
BM
BK
BG
BU
BB
BH
BTIO
BY
BEXP
BP
BE
BRUSSELS
BF
BIDEN
BT
BX
BC
BILAT
BN
BBSR
BTIU
BWC
BMGT
CA
CASC
CVIS
CM
CH
CO
CU
CD
CWC
CI
CS
CY
CMGT
CF
CG
CR
CB
CV
CW
CE
CBW
CT
CPAS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CJAN
CODEL
CIDA
CDG
CDC
CIA
CTR
CNARC
CSW
CN
CONS
CLINTON
COE
CROS
CARICOM
CONDOLEEZZA
COUNTER
CL
COM
CICTE
CIS
CFED
COUNTRY
CJUS
CBSA
CEUDA
CLMT
CAC
COPUOS
CIC
CBE
CHR
CTM
CVR
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CACS
CAN
CITT
CARSON
CACM
CDB
CAPC
CKGR
CBC
EC
EG
EPET
ECON
ETRD
EFIN
EIND
EMIN
ENRG
EAID
EAGR
EUN
ETTC
EAIR
ENIV
ES
EU
EINV
ELAB
ECIN
EFIS
ELTN
EWWT
ECPS
ECONOMIC
ENGR
EN
EINT
EPA
ELN
ESA
EZ
ER
ET
EFTA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
EXTERNAL
EI
EUR
EK
ERNG
ENGY
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENERG
EINVEFIN
ENVR
ECA
ELECTIONS
ETC
EUREM
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EURN
ECINECONCS
EEPET
EXIM
ERD
ENVI
ETRC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ETRO
EDU
ETRN
EAIG
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
EIAR
EXBS
ECUN
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ESENV
ECONEFIN
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINVETC
IZ
IT
IR
IS
IN
IC
IAEA
IO
ICAO
IWC
ID
IV
ISRAEL
IAHRC
IQ
ICTR
IMF
IRS
IDP
IGAD
ICRC
ICTY
IMO
IL
INRA
INRO
ICJ
ITU
IBRD
INMARSAT
IIP
ITALY
IEFIN
IACI
ILO
INTELSAT
ILC
ITRA
IDA
INRB
IRC
INTERPOL
IA
IPR
IRAQI
ISRAELI
INTERNAL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
IBET
INR
IEA
IZPREL
IRAJ
ITF
IF
KDEM
KU
KPAL
KNNP
KCRM
KZ
KN
KS
KJUS
KTFN
KSCA
KV
KISL
KPAO
KPKO
KIRF
KTIA
KIPR
KFLO
KFRD
KTIP
KAWC
KSUM
KCOM
KAID
KE
KTDB
KMDR
KOMC
KWBG
KDRG
KVPR
KTEX
KGIC
KWMN
KSCI
KCOR
KACT
KDDG
KHLS
KSAF
KFLU
KSEO
KMRS
KSPR
KOLY
KSEP
KVIR
KGHG
KIRC
KUNR
KIFR
KCIP
KMCA
KMPI
KBCT
KHSA
KICC
KIDE
KCRS
KMFO
KRVC
KRGY
KR
KAWK
KG
KFIN
KHIV
KBIO
KOCI
KBTR
KNEI
KPOA
KCFE
KPLS
KSTC
KHDP
KPRP
KCRCM
KLIG
KCFC
KTER
KREC
KTBT
KPRV
KSTH
KRIM
KRAD
KWAC
KWMM
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KOMS
KX
KMIG
KRCM
KVRP
KBTS
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNAR
KPWR
KNPP
KDEMAF
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KGIT
KPAI
KTLA
KFSC
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KID
KOM
KMOC
KJUST
KGCC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KO
KNSD
KHUM
KSEC
KCMR
KCHG
KICA
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KCGC
KWWMN
KPAK
KWNM
KWMNCS
KRFD
MOPS
MCAP
MPOS
MARR
MO
MNUC
MX
MASS
MG
MY
MU
ML
MR
MILITARY
MTCRE
MT
MEPP
MA
MDC
MP
MAR
MASSMNUC
MARAD
MAPP
MZ
MD
MI
MEETINGS
MK
MCC
MEPN
MRCRE
MAS
MIL
MASC
MC
MV
MTCR
MIK
MUCN
MEDIA
MERCOSUR
MW
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTRE
MEPI
MQADHAFI
MAPS
NO
NATO
NL
NP
NZ
NSF
NI
NH
NG
NAFTA
NU
NASA
NR
NATOPREL
NSSP
NSG
NA
NT
NW
NK
NPT
NPA
NATIONAL
NPG
NSFO
NS
NSC
NE
NGO
NDP
NIPP
NRR
NEW
NZUS
NC
NAR
NV
NORAD
OTRA
OPCW
OVIP
OAS
OREP
OPIC
OIIP
OPRC
ODIP
OEXC
OPDC
OSCE
OIC
OSCI
OECD
OFDP
OFDA
OMIG
OPAD
OFFICIALS
OVP
OIE
OHUM
OCS
OBSP
OTR
OSAC
ON
OCII
OES
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PTER
PINS
PINR
PREF
PK
PROP
PA
PARM
PBTS
PMAR
PM
PGIV
PE
PRAM
PHUH
PHSA
PL
PNAT
PO
PLN
PAO
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PF
PEL
PBIO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PAS
POL
PREO
PAHO
PMIL
POGOV
POV
PAK
PNR
PRL
PG
PREFA
PSI
PINL
PU
PARMS
PRGOV
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POSTS
PROG
PORG
PTBS
PUNE
POLICY
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PP
PS
PY
PTERE
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PRELP
PSEPC
PGOVE
PINF
PNG
PGOC
PFOR
PCUL
POLINT
PGGV
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PGOVLO
PHUS
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
RS
RU
RELATIONS
RW
RO
RM
RP
ROOD
RICE
RUPREL
RSO
RCMP
REACTION
REPORT
REGION
RIGHTS
RF
RFE
RSP
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
SU
SCUL
SNAR
SOCI
SF
SA
SHUM
SENV
SP
SR
SY
SANC
SC
SMIG
SZ
SARS
SW
SEVN
SO
SEN
SL
SNARCS
SNARN
SI
SG
SN
SH
SYR
SAARC
SPCE
SHI
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SYRIA
SWE
STEINBERG
SIPRS
ST
SNARIZ
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SIPDIS
SAN
TC
TI
TBIO
TH
TSPL
TRGY
TSPA
TPHY
TU
TW
TS
TAGS
TK
TX
TNGD
TZ
TF
TL
TV
TN
TD
TIP
TR
TP
TO
TT
TFIN
THPY
TERRORISM
TINT
TRSY
TURKEY
TBID
US
UK
UNGA
UP
UZ
UNMIK
USTR
UNO
UNSC
UN
UNESCO
UNAUS
UNHRC
UY
UG
UNHCR
UNCND
USOAS
USEU
UNICEF
UNEP
UV
UNPUOS
UNCSD
USUN
UNCHR
UNDC
USNC
UE
UNDP
UNC
USPS
USAID
UNVIE
UAE
UNFICYP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNCHC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08BOGOTA2331, SUSTAINABLE PALM OIL PRODUCTION IN COLOMBIA
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08BOGOTA2331.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08BOGOTA2331 | 2008-06-26 21:30 | 2011-04-24 12:30 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Bogota |
Appears in these articles: http://www.elespectador.com/wikileaks |
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBO #2331/01 1782130
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 262130Z JUN 08 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3362
INFO RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 8265
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0625
RUEHGT/AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA 2618
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ JUN LIMA 6309
RUEHMU/AMEMBASSY MANAGUA 2279
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 8908
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 1924
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 6973
RUEHSJ/AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE 4931
RUEHSN/AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR 2039
RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 2122
RUEHTG/AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA 1699
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
UNCLAS BOGOTA 002331
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
OES/ENV FOR JBENFORADO AND HLEE; WHA/EPSC FOR FCORNEILLE;
EEB FOR MMCMANUS AND BHAENDLER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG SENV ECON CO
SUBJECT: SUSTAINABLE PALM OIL PRODUCTION IN COLOMBIA
REF: A. (A) STATE 65271
¶B. (B) 07 BOGOTA 7171
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Despite challenges, Colombia's palm
industry continues to expand as a result of high palm oil
prices, increasing security and biofuels demand. The GOC and
private industry have publicly committed to developing the
sector in a sustainable manner and initiated efforts to do
so, including USAID support for small palm producers. Palm
growers identify industry stigmatization, development of
uncoordinated certification processes, and land issues as
primary challenges. Local environmental experts have called
for a comprehensive environmental impact survey to identify
areas off-limits to palm production, while industry
representatives cite adoption of a uniform certification
standard, transparency in land ownership, and clearer land
management policies as key to ensuring commercial, social,
and environmental sustainability of the palm industry.
Colombia's leading palm association, in conjunction with the
International Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and the
World Wildlife Fund, has proposed holding the first Latin
American Roundtable on Sustainable Palm in Cartagena in
October 2008 to discuss these issues and would like to invite
USG attendance. END SUMMARY.
High Prices, Security, & Biodiesel Drive Expansion
--------------------------------------------- -----
¶2. (U) Colombia ranks as the world's fifth largest palm oil
producer and was identified in 2007 by the journal
Environmental Science and Technology as one of the top five
countries for capacity to sustainably develop its palm
industry, based on a strong agroindustrial sector, investment
climate, and agricultural characteristics. Colombia
currently has 405,000 hectares of palm planted--40,000 more
than in 2007 and double the amount in 2002. National
Federation of Palm Growers (Fedepalma) President Jens Mesa
Dishington told Econoff that the prime drivers behind the
steady expansion were strong international demand for palm
oil, improving security in rural areas, and domestic demand
for biodiesel produced from palm oil.
¶3. (U) Although traditionally utilized in food and cosmetics,
palm oil has become a principal feedstock for biodiesel due
to its cost-effectiveness (seeds harvested year-round for 25
years), productivity (produces 3.7 tons of oil per
hectare--nine times the oil produced by soybeans) and energy
efficiency (twice as much energy per unit as soy). The GOC
forecasts Colombia's diesel consumption will grow nine times
faster than gasoline consumption over the next 15 years. In
this context, the GOC seeks to develop a robust biodiesel
industry based on Colombia's growing palm oil industry. To
foster the palm-biodiesel sector, the GOC approved the
creation of Colombia's first biodiesel free trade zone in
Magdalena Department in 2007. Five other biodiesel projects
are coming on-line in 2008 to fully supply the GOC's January
2008 mandate to blend biodiesel into five percent of domestic
diesel supplies as well as the planned increase to a ten
percent blend in 2010.
Commitment to Sustainability
----------------------------
¶4. (U) At the same time, the GOC has publicly committed to
developing Colombia's biofuels industry utilizing only
degraded lands or lands already in agricultural production.
Likewise, Fedepalma, which represents over 80 percent of
Colombia's palm growers, has implemented several measures
with its producer members to protect biodiversity, reduce
negative impacts of monoculture agriculture and implement
sustainable soil and water management practices. Fedepalma's
research institute, Cenipalma, has also coordinated with
Ministry of Agriculture officials in developing natural pest
management and hybrid breeding strategies that have
significantly reduced pesticide and fertilizer requirements.
¶5. (U) Through USAID's Alternative Development Program, the
USG supports 2,400 small landowners through 23 palm projects
totaling nearly 36,000 hectares. USAID has promoted a system
of alliances between large and small producers to improve
efficiency, accountability, and social responsibility of
production by sharing the technical knowledge, access to
credit, risk-bearing capability of large producers with small
producers that have land and labor. USAID has also developed
a protocol for strengthening due diligence processes in place
to ensure protection of communal and individual land tenure
rights.
Challenges: Social and Commercial
---------------------------------
¶6. (SBU) Despite government and industry efforts to ensure
sustainability in Colombia's palm sector, environmental and
land issues, if not managed properly, could limit
development. Environmental NGOs are concerned the GOC cannot
fulfill its commitment to expand biodiesel production without
harming the environment. In particular, differences remain
between the GOC, industry, and environmentalists regarding
precisely which areas of the country to cultivate without
causing deforestation or biodiversity destruction.
Environmental experts, including Conservation International
biologist Tim Killeen who surveyed the Colombian biofuels
sector as part of an EEB-funded visit in 2007 (ref B), have
urged the GOC to commission an independent environmental
impact assessment as well as press biofuels producers to
pursue international certifications for their products.
¶7. (SBU) Separately, human rights NGOs have linked palm
production in the Choco and Tumaco Departments to Colombia's
armed conflict and the land rights of Afro-Colombians. NGOs
have accused the palm growers of illegally occupying lands in
which Afro-Colombians were displaced by the conflict and
preventing the populations from recovering their land. While
less than 10 percent of Colombia's palm cultivation lies
within disputed areas and the vast majority of the industry
has not been subject to such land issues, slow progress in
resolving the disputes risk tarnishing the broader industry.
FedepaQPresident Mesa told Econoff, however, he considers
the prospect of industry-wide stigmatization resulting from
isolated cases of environmental, labor or land abuses as the
most significant risk to Colombian palm producers in general.
How to Promote Sustainable Growth
--------------------------------
¶8. (SBU) To address concerns about palm production, Fedepalma
has engaged NGOs directly and through the Kuala Lampur-based
Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which has
established a set of eight principles and related criteria
for sustainable palm oil development. One Colombian palm
producer, Daabon, has already begun the certification
process. Fedepalma Secretary General Andres Castro told
Econoff, however, that adopting a single and transparent
international certification system is important to promoting
sustainable environmental and labor practices. Castro
emphasized that the proliferation of certification schemes or
inconsistent application of standards to only some producers
or segments of the supply chain could cause palm growers
commercial damage and promote non-compliance. Fedepalma has
launched discussions with the GOC on drafting a "national
interpretation" of the RSPO criteria in order to give
Colombian growers specific information on how the criteria
fits with existing GOC regulations.
¶9. (SBU) Finally, in addition establishing and implementing a
uniform international certification standard, Mesa suggested
that palm growers, as well as other agricultural producers in
Colombia, need transparency in land ownership and planning.
Mesa noted that sizable amounts of agricultural land in
Colombia had unclear ownership or ties to individuals
involved in illicit activities. Fedepalma has supported
pending legislation in Colombia's Congress to require clear
registration of all agricultural land as a means to impede
illicit activities as well as to formalize available
agricultural land. With such land brought into the formal
economy, most Colombian agricultural producer associations
includingFedepalma argue that pressure to develop
environmentally pristine or sensitive lands will ease.
First Americas Conference on Sustainable Palm Oil
--------------------------------------------- ----
¶10. (U) Fedepalma, with support from World Wildlife Fund, has
proposed RSPO hold a first-ever Latin American Roundtable
meeting on sustainable palm development in Cartagena October
16-17. Castro said he expects international certifications
to feature as a primary topic of the conference and
encouraged the USG to send participants to the event as a
follow up to the OES-sponsored workshop with palm industry
stakeholders on May 2 in Washington. Castro and Mesa both
suggested that USG embassies could play a constructive role
in encouraging strong government and private sector
participation in the conference from Mexico, Guatemala,
Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, theDominicanRepublic,
Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil. Post will pass OES any
additional information on the conference as received.
BROWNFIELD
=======================CABLE ENDS============================