Fonterra implicated in rainforest destruction

[dysonslicin]

(part 2) does indonesia and malaysia do this as well? instead of not importing palm oil can we not control the extent of the land use? as it would damage thier local economy, and surely it would be hypocritical of us.

[dysonslicin]

I am probably ignorant. but we are a country that has undergone extensive deforestation to support our farming industries, such as dairy, sheep and beef, horticulture and pine, to the detriment and extinction of native birds. this is our economy (im not saying its morally right, yet it is fact). We as new zealanders almost justify it through creating national parks and off limit ares,

[madoogliani]

When you can sell it, it ceases to be a by-product and becomes just a product.

[Koyukonn]

Evil corporations and their profit based motives. It only gets worse from here.

[McFonterra]

Glad to see a NZ dairy farmer agreeing that PKE shouldn't come at the expense of deforestation. But have to say that both of the arguments over the use are incorrect. PKE has been coming into NZ over the last decade some of this is due to drought but the main factor is increased production of milk - fed farmers stated that you can more get milk out of your cows by using PKE - it's for intensification. Also it's not a by-product PKE contributes 10-15% to the economics of the palm industry.

[userofnames]

im a dairy farmer from nz, i dont import this but i believe the 2000%? increase imported over the last 2 years was due to the drought in new zealand, the fact is that it is a by-product and that it would go to waste if not consumed, im not in favour of this deforestation at all and i find it appalling, but you can hardly blame the new zealand dairy farmer for taking advantage of PKE at a time when they were desperate.I suggest greenpeace get the facts straight before putting out these videos

[zoomerbemen]

Got milk ? no thanks

[thecvxman]

I'm sorry greanpeacenz, I am on catonz's side here, how can you say cheese is a by product of the dairy industry (when it is a primary product that is being produced) and compare that to PKE which is a waste product of the palm industry. Going after Fonterrra or any foreign company for the destruction of rainforrest is lunicy at best, the issue lies at the feet of the indonesian govt for allowing their own companies to do this. You are way outa whack here (like most of greenpeaces arguements)

[McFonterra]

errr wrong - have to agree with Greenpeace on this one - the Malaysian Palm Oil Board say thay Palm Kernel Expeller is an important part of the economics in growing palm. So Fonterra are guilty of supporting a destructive industry - over 300 million dollars of farmers hard earned cash was used to buy PKE off palm companies actively involved in deforestation in Indonesia and Malaysia.

[greenpeacenz]

That argument is fatally flawed catonz. It's like saying that it's OK to use blood and bone fertiliser produced by the Japanese Whaling industry, or that cheese is a byproduct of the dairy industry.

[thecvxman]

So by your own reasoning, if you stop people buying whey, you will cripple the nz dairy industry and we wont bring in the PKE. That's flawed, you will not control the NZ dairy industry by controlling the whey, same with PKE, so why not go after the guys using the palm oil, and the guys allowing palm to be grown, it certainly isn't driven by the demand for PKE, and your article never even explores this. Very poor journalism indeed

[catonz]

I know it isn't Greenpeace's style, but a balanced portrayal would have mentioned palm kernel is a by-product of palm oil, not in anyway a driver of rainforest destruction.

It is sad the rainforests are being destroyed, but if New Zealand farmers (not Fonterra) didn't buy it, it would be wasted - how is that a better result?

[GARETH713]

Every day I hear or see something that saddens me and makes me ashamed to even be human. The world is so greedy and cold. It is very disturbing and I worry about the future of this planet.Thankyou greenpeace and the eco warriors of the earth for all you do to try and turn this around!

[1leigui1]

screw fonterra. go vegan biatchess yeehaw!