Minutes for the Second Session of RSPO National

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Minutes for the Second Session of RSPO National Interpretation First Technical Working Group Meeting Held on Wednesday 4th December 2013 at Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA),

Freetown.

The Second Session of the RSPO National Interpretation Technical Working Group Meeting was held on Wednesday 4th

December 2013 at

Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA), Freetown. This is a continuation of the previous First Technical Working

Group meeting following the National Interpretation Awareness Raising and Public Consultation meeting in October 2013. The aim of this

meeting was to further increase awareness and understanding of the RSPO NI process in Sierra Leone including the Small Producing Countries

NI. There were 27 participants at the meeting with all key stakeholder groups represented (See ANNEX A) including the Environmental

Protection Agency Sierra Leone (EPA-SL), the National Federation of Farmers in Sierra Leone (NaFFSL), Green Scenery, Government

Ministries, Agencies and Departments, Large Scale Producers and Smallholders and NGOs etc. The meeting was moderated by Mr Victor

Bangura of SLIEPA.

Agenda:

1. Welcome Address

2. Meeting Objectives

3. Agreement of 14th

November 2013 minutes (and Presentation of Agenda)

Part 1 – RSPO Sierra Leone Small Producing Countries (SPCs) National Interpretation

4. Recap:

a. RSPO Overview Presentation

b. RSPO SPC National Interpretation Process

5. RSPO Sierra Leone SPC Legal Review Part 2

6. Group Certification

7. Questions and Notes About Smallholders

Part 2 – Public Consultation on RSPO Sierra Leone Small Producing Countries NI Process

8. SPC NI Public Consultation Process

9. Definition of Next Steps and AOB

10. Evaluation, Adjournment and Vote of Thanks

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1. Welcome Address

After silent prayers, the moderator Mr Victor Bangura welcomed all present on behalf of the conveners, Environmental Foundation for Africa

(EFA) and Fauna and Flora International (FFI).

He highlighted the four important documents participants received at the First TWG meeting as the following: The Legal Review of RSPO

Sierra Leone, RSPO Principles and Criteria, the two Smallholder Guidance documents for Scheme Smallholders and Independent Smallholders.

He reiterated the ground rules from the previous meeting that all attendees should follow including offering constructive criticism, being

respectful to others views, speaking directly about an issue and managing time effectively.

We have had three prior meetings addressing the different issues of RSPO NI process in Sierra Leone. In January 2013, an information session at

the British Council introduced the RSPO process and its benefits to Sierra Leone. On October 30th

2013, a National Interpretation Awareness

Raising and Public Consultation meeting took place which established a Technical Working Group for Sierra Leone RSPO NI process. On

November 14th 2013, the first Technical Working Group meeting took place and led to the beginning of the 60 Day Public Consultation Period

on 15th

November 2013.

Today’s meeting is a continuation of the First Technical Working Group meeting to further our awareness and understanding of the RSPO NI

process in Sierra Leone and the Small Producing Countries (SPC) NI documents including the Legal Review of RSPO Sierra Leone. Sierra

Leone is considered a Small Producing Country because we produce less than 5% of the global crude palm oil (CPO) production. As a TWG we

are an interactive group with members from all different technical backgrounds involved in palm oil production, policy makers and agribusiness.

2. Meeting Objectives

Presenter – Mr Victor Bangura, SLIEPA

The meeting objectives were:

1. To understand the RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&Cs).

2. Part 2 of the Legal Review: a continuation of the legal presentation of the Draft RSPO Sierra Leone National Interpretation for Small

Producing Countries.

3. To understand the process of creating a Full NI document for Sierra Leone.

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3. Agreement of Previous Minutes


After a brief walk-through of the Minutes from the previous 14th

November 2013 meeting, the following errors were highlighted by participants:

Mrs A Johnson email address is [email protected].

John O Fullah is a representative from the National Federation of Farmers in Sierra Leone (NaFFSL).

Spelling Correction – Abu Bakarr Timbo.

Removal of the Legal Discussion Group.

Dr Richard Wadsworth is an Adjunct Professor and his email address is [email protected].

Participants also suggested:

Participants should be consistent with the information they write in the Attendance List.

The addition of page numbers to future minutes.

Writing the full name of organisations in the Attendance List.

TWG members should respond to emails about comments and changes to minutes prior to the next meeting.

Once the changes were agreed upon the Minutes from the previous 14th

November 2013 meeting were endorsed and the motion was carried

forward by Mr Sahr Kendema and supported by Ms Marjolein Louisa and Mr Beny Sam.

Part 1 – RSPO Sierra Leone Small Producing Countries (SCPs) National Interpretation

4. RSPO Overview Presentation


This presentation provided a brief recap of the RSPO and its importance with emphasis on the following topics:

What is the RSPO, its Mission, Principles and Criteria?

Why there’s a need for sustainable palm oil?

- Social Issues in Cultivation: land ownership conflicts, workers rights and conditions, treatment of small holders and issues facing

Sierra Leone.

mailto:[email protected]


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- Climate Change and forest degradation

- Biodiversity loss

RSPO Governance

RSPO Certification and Impact

Mr Victor Bangura emphasised that the RSPO Principles and Criteria cannot be altered, but TWG members can provide guidance on the

indicators for the Sierra Leone RSPO NI document.

Some of the key discussion points

How many companies need to be RSPO certified for a country to be certified?

Which companies are members of the RSPO in Sierra Leone?

The difference between being a RSPO member and RSPO certified?

How do entities become RSPO members?

How can a company be delisted, if they aren’t complying with the RSPO standards?

Can a company with RSPO certification from another country operate in Sierra Leone, who has yet to be RSPO certified?

What does RSPO do to a company when social conflicts arise?

How does a country like Sierra Leone continue with the RSPO certification instead of individual companies?

How is RSPO factoring in monitoring biodiversity and carbon sequestration?

How independent is the RSPO Secretariat in disciplining members and when issues arise?

How do smallholder farmers benefit from RSPO?

Issues participants raised

Other African countries in the NI process are Ghana and Liberia.

How independent is the RSPO Secretariat?

Ivory Coast RSPO certification operating in Sierra Leone.

The nature of the RSPO General Assembly and Task Force.

From the group discussion the TWG members acknowledged that:

RSPO Principles and Criteria are an international standard and apply to all countries that undergo certification. However, the individual

countries’ adapt the indictaors and guidance through a national interpretation process, to fit the local context,

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5. RSPO SPC National Interpretation Process Presentation


This presentation was a recap on the steps in the National Interpretation process and the role of the Technical Working Group in the process. The

following topics were highlighted:

The 60 Day Public Consultation has been open since 15th

November 2013. Comments can be submitted via the website: www.rspo-

sierraleone.org

Why an RSPO Small Producing Country NI? – Because Sierra Leone’s total output CPO production does not exceed 5% of Global CPO.

The reason for a RSPO National Interpretation – “It is the process of adapting the standardized RSPO indicators and guidance to fit the

local context” in this case Sierra Leone.

What the TWG is not? – With particular emphasis on a ‘TWG is not a grievance mechanism. The RSPO has a separate set of procedures

for any issues stakeholders would like to raise, which is run centrally through the RSPO Secretariat in Kuala Lumpur’.

Overview of Small Producing Countries (SPCs) and Full NI process including the timetables for:

- Phase I: RSPO Sierra Leone for SPCs, which includes an analysis between the Sierra Leone national laws and regulations and the

RSPO P&Cs followed by a 60 day public consultation before submitting to RSPO Secretariat for endorsement. The endorsed RSPO

SL SPCs NI document would then be ready for certification use.

- Phase II: RSPO SL Full NI, which includes defining indicators specific to the SL context for each RSPO criteria undertaken through

TWG and SubWorking Groups, as required followed by a 60 day public consultation before submitting to RSPO Secretariat for

endorsement. The endorsed RSPO SL NI document would then be ready for certification use and would replace the SPC version.


What are the plans for trainers to work with Smallholders to help implement RSPO standards?

In relation to Principle 3, how do we interpret long-term economic and financial viability in the country – from growers, millers through

the supply chain?

What is the reliability of the statement ‘Sierra Leone’s total output CPO production does not exceed 5% of Global CPO’?

Is Sierra Leone sensitized enough to undergo this NI process and adhere to the RSPO standards?

6. RSPO Sierra Leone SPC Legal Review Part 2

Presenter – Ms Henrietta Cole, Basma and Macaulay

http://www.rspo-sierraleone.org/


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The presentation was a continuation of a walkthrough of the Draft RSPO Sierra Leone National Interpretation for Small Producing Countries

Legal Review; which is guidance for companies implementing the RSPO Principles and Criteria to ensure they are in line with the national and

international laws and covered the following points:

Addressed the question – Do we think domestic laws meet the RSPO P&Cs?

Highlighted where no national laws relate to the RSPO P&Cs including Criteria 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.6, 7.2, 7.4, 7.5, 7.7 and 7.8.

Ms Cole concluded that the problem is not a lack of national laws. It’s the inadequate enforcement of these national and local laws. She also

encouraged participants to share knowledge on the missing National Laws in relation to the RSPO P&Cs listed above. She reiterated her

previous recommendation that where RSPO P&Cs offer greater provisions than Sierra Leone National Laws, the RSPO P&Cs should be used.

Contributions from TWG members

The Environmental Protection Agency Act of 2008 was amended in 2010 and is now under the Office of the President.

New 2013 Right to Information Act.

Clarification on land tenure in relation to Criterion 2.2, CAP 122 – The right to use land if a non-native.

Include the factory workers as well for Criterion 4.7 – Collective Bargaining Agreement for Agricultural Workers.

Salary for labourers depending on National Laws against RSPO standards, where RSPO is higher.

Criterion 4.7, there’s a regulation for Health and Safety not included in the Legal Review.

Criterion 6.5, a new minimum wage for Sierra Leone has been announced and should be enforced in January 2014.

Criterion 7.8, there’s a section on greenhouse gas emission in the EPA Act of 2010.


Need representation from the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau.

‘No clearing of forest after 2005 for agricultural production’ – Define what is meant by forest?

If International laws are better than our National Laws which prevails?

General public more aware of policies than National and Local laws.

The level of enforcement of existing laws.

No recommendations made in the Legal Review?

Will there be linkages with RSPO and other guidelines such as FAO guidelines etc?

Asking questions related to the presentation or issue at hand.

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7. Group Certification

Presenter – Dr Richard Wadsworth, Njala University

This presentation used a ‘Hypothetical’ Sustainable Oil Palm Development timeline for a Conventional Mill to create a better understanding of

how the RSPO Principles and Criteria apply to an Oil Palm Development and where the National Interpretation and Best Practice interact. The

following was covered:

Issues to consider when starting including leasing land, negotiations with local communities and environmental assessment.

The National Laws, RSPO P&Cs and Best Practices that apply to each step of successfully starting and running a Sustainable Oil Palm

Development.

Difference between Smallholders (SH) in Sierra Leone and Malaysia: SH in Sierra Leone produce their own palm oil, whereas SH in

Malaysia only produce the fresh fruit.

This document will be circulated for TWG members’ comments once it has been approved by the two conveners, FFI and EFA.


This document relates to a novice developer and needs to be expanded to include the discrepancies related to a larger company.

How will we involve smallholders, if the process focuses on large companies?

What is the number of plantations in a district?

Two types of oil palm producers in Sierra Leone: the traditional native and the commercial oil palms.

NaFFSL would like to help recognise the different groups of growers and contribute in the sensitisation process of these farmers to RSPO

standards.

8. Questions and Notes about Smallholders


This presentation focused on creating a better understanding of Smallholders and Independent Smallholders in relation to Group Certification

and the NI Process and summarised the two documents:

- 2009 RSPO Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Palm Oil Production: Guidance for Scheme smallholders.

- 2010 RSPO Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Palm Oil Production: Guidance for Independent Smallholders under Group

Certification.

The following topics were covered:

Group Certification and the Role of Group Managers.

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Adjustment the P&Cs for Smallholders.

Cost of palm oil from West Africa and Ecuador.

Environmental factors including fire, soil fertility, High Conservation Value areas, energy use etc.

Issues with (Social) Environmental Impact Assessment.

This document will be circulated for TWG members’ comments once it has been approved by the two conveners, FFI and EFA.

Part 2 – Public Consultation on RSPO Sierra Leone Small Producing Countries (SPCs) NI Process

9. SPC NI Public Consultation Process

Presenter – Ms Sadiatu Kamara, RSPO Administrative Coordinator

The presentation focused on creating a better understanding of the SPC NI Public Consultation Process. The following topics were covered:

A walk-through of the RSPO Sierra Leone website - www.rspo-sierraleone.org.

SPC NI Consultation period now open, since the 15th

November 2013.

How to access SPC NI document? Either via the website or hardcopies are available in select locations including the EFA office, Lakka

and SLIEPA office, Tower Hill. More copies of the document will be distributed to other locations and the list of these locations will be

made available to the public.

TWG members are invited to host Sierra Leone SPC NI document at their offices for the public to access during the consultation period.

How to submit comments? Comments can be submitted via the website or email to [email protected].


The PowerPoint presentations from previous meetings should be included on the website.

Documents on the website should be put in PDF and Word format for easy access.

10. Definition of Next Steps and AOB


The presentation discussed the TWG next steps and set out the Proposed SPC NI Work Plan. The following points were covered:

Proposed TWG Work Plan is as follows:



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- Public Consultation is open since 15th

November 2013.

- Deadline for Public Comments is January 15th

2014 (After the 60 Days Public Consultation).

- Deadline for Secretariat to collate all comments is January 25th

2014.

- The Draft of the Public Consultation Comments will be circulated to TWG members on February 17th

2014.

Provisional date for the next TWG meeting is 5th

March 2014.


How is the Public Consultation being advertised?

Copies of the SPC NI document should be available in the library, Freetown City Council, Universities and key places around town.

10. Evaluation, Adjournment and Vote of Thanks

Meeting was adjourned by Ms Sadiatu Kamara, RSPO NI Administrative Coordinator who thanked representatives for their attendance and

participation. This TWG meeting was engaging and raised many issues and discussions. Please fill in the evaluation forms to improve our future

meetings. She wished all attendees a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The moderator, Mr Victor Bangura added a special thank you to producers, CSOs, Government Ministries and Agencies, University

representatives and Smallholders for their attendance. He also advised participants to encourage others key stakeholders to attend.

Annex A: Attendance list for the Second Session RSPO National Interpretation First Technical Working Group Meeting Held on Wednesday 4th December 2013 at Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency

(SLIEPA), Freetown.

NAME ORGANIZATION TITLE TELEPHONE EMAIL

1 AGATHA JOHNSON AFRICARIBE GROUP CEO 033934937 [email protected]

2 HENRIETTA COLE BASMA AND MACAULAY BARRISTER AT LAW

3 SAHR KENDEMA CAMPAIGN FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE (CGG) PROGRAM OFFICER

076356691 [email protected]

4 AMINATA BUNDU EFA NOTE TAKER



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5 SADIATU KAMARA EFA ADMIN COORDINATOR, RSPO


6 EYA ES SOSOKONEH EFA MULTIMEDIA OFFICER 078178818 [email protected]

7 VICTOR H.O. SAWYER

ENVIORNMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY-SL DEPUTY DIRECTOR


8 MELVIN A. FOFANAH GBELANE AGRIC PROJECT – KAMBIA MANAGING DIRECTOR

076241519

9 MARJOLEIN LOUISA SIERRA LEONE AGRICULTURE

OPERATIONAL MANAGER CSR


10 HARDING TOMMY GEOFF PALM COUNTRY MANAGER 078250030 [email protected]

11 S SUGUNARAO SIERRA LEONE AGRICULTURE

SR. PLANTATION MANAGER


12 JOSEPH RAHALL GREEN SCENERY SIERRA LEONE (GSSL) EXECUETIVE DIRECTOR


13 MOHAMED BENYA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE FORESTRY AND FOOD SECURITY (MAFFS) & POPSLCB AGRONOMIST


14 JOHN M.P. SINAH

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE FORESTRY AND FOOD SECURITY (MAFFS) & POPSLCB

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST


15 ABU BAKARR S. TIMBO NAFCU SL NATIONAL SECRETARY GENERAL


16 JOHN O. FULLAH

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF FARMERS SIERRA LEONE (NAFFSL)

NATIONAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL












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17 SAMUEL E.K HARDING

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF FARMERS SIERRA LEONE (NAFFSL)

NATIONAL ORGANIZING SECRETARY


18 MOHAMED S KOBIRU

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF FARMERS SIERRA LEONE (NAFFSL) SECRETARY GENERAL


19 AMINATA KELLY-LAMIN

NETWORK MOVEMENT FOR JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT

REGIONAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR


20 DR RICHARD WADSWORTH N'JALA UNIVERSITY ADJUNCT PROFESSOR


21 VICTOR BANGURA

SIERRA LEONE INVESTMENT AND EXPORT PROMOTION AGENCY (SLIEPA)

MANAGER INVESTMENT PORMOTION


22 JACKSON KAMARA

SIERRA LEONE INVESTMENT AND EXPORT PROMOTION AGENCY (SLIEPA)

EXPORT PROMOTION OFFICER


23 SUNNA KEILI

SIERRA LEONE PRODUCE MARKETING COMPANY

MARKETING & SALES OFFICER


24 CELINE SCHNITZ SOCFIN HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER

079386091 cschnitz@soc.

25 DR. ISSAC F PALMER UNIVERSITY OF SIERRA LEONE (URDS) DIRECTOR










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26 ROCCO FALCONER WEST AFRICAN AGRIBUSINESS MD


27 BENY SAM WORLD VISION SL ADVOCACY COORDINATOR 076605224 [email protected] /

[email protected]


