Extractora La Francia subjects its local interpretation to public consultation in the process of the RSPO Certification
Extractora del atlantico’s employees get training
October 29, 2014
Agrocaribe is the first palm oil company in the world certified with Rainforest Alliance
February 26, 2015
Extractora La Francia, Extractora del Atlántico, Agrocaribe and Agrofrancia subjected to public consultation their local interpretation of the principles and criteria of the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), to advance their certification process. Among more than 80 participants were representatives of the central government, municipality of Morales, army, police, community leaders, universities, teachers, company suppliers and environmental institutions.
“The public consultation of the local interpretation allows direct identification of the positive and negative impacts of the organization in the neighboring communities. The public consultation made evident the great acceptance of the activities of the palm oil production by the communities surrounding the area of influence of Extractora La Francia and its subsidiary companies, thus recognizing the appreciation of the different interest groups of the organization’s constant support.”
“In the same way the company is giving an update on its work, that is different and more sustainable, it is working more on social corporate responsibility. This has a cost in economic terms and requires effort from them to work with local governments. It is praiseworthy and also drives us to update our way of developing projects and to have the company's support.”
The public consultation consisted in reviewing the eight principles and their respective criteria, with the stakeholders invited. The working session lasted about 50 minutes and then there was a session for questions, answers and comments; there were comments on aspects that the participants did not know about and were explained by the company's staff, and expressions of gratitude for several social projects initiated by the corporation with its local development contribution strategy.
“For a company like this, it is important to have this type of activity because you need to have feedback from the people who benefit from their projects. This is the only useful way to achieve this; a consultation where all representatives of different entities come together, all active members of society to expose their needs and the benefits received. To us as certifying entity it is useful to corroborate that the company´s contributions to society are focused on a specified channel.”
“It is advisable to have this type of process because there are people who are unaware of the benefits that the companies bring to the communities. This gives an opportunity to know about the different points of view of each one on behalf of the community. Today we realized how much support has been given to schools, for example, and projects that have a lot of impact. It is amazing that community members come, express their opinions and participate along with us.”
