

Currently released so far... 12648 / 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
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
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
AORC
AF
AU
ASEC
AMGT
AS
APER
AR
AG
ARF
AJ
AA
AINF
APECO
AODE
ABLD
AMG
ATPDEA
AE
AEMR
AMED
AGAO
AFIN
AL
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AID
ASCH
AM
AORL
ASEAN
APEC
ADM
AFSI
AFSN
ADCO
ABUD
AN
AY
AIT
AGR
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
AMCHAMS
AGMT
AADP
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
ACS
APCS
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AROC
AO
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AFU
BR
BTIO
BY
BO
BA
BU
BL
BN
BM
BF
BEXP
BK
BG
BB
BTIU
BBSR
BRUSSELS
BD
BIDEN
BE
BH
BILAT
BC
BX
BT
BP
BMGT
BWC
CS
CA
CH
CD
CO
CE
CU
CVIS
CASC
CJAN
CI
CPAS
CMGT
CDG
CIC
CAC
CBW
CWC
COUNTER
CW
CT
CY
CNARC
CACM
CG
CB
CM
CV
CIDA
CLINTON
CHR
COE
CR
CIS
CDC
CONS
CF
CODEL
COPUOS
CIA
CFED
CARSON
CL
CROS
CAPC
CTR
CACS
CN
CBSA
CEUDA
COM
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CARICOM
CSW
CITT
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
EAID
ECON
EFIS
ETRD
EC
ENRG
EINV
EFIN
EAGR
ETTC
ECPS
EINT
ES
EIND
EAIR
EU
EUN
EG
EPET
ELAB
EWWT
EMIN
ECIN
ESA
ER
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EAIG
ET
ETRO
ELTN
EI
EN
EUR
EK
EUMEM
EPA
ENGR
EXTERNAL
EUREM
ELN
EUC
ENERG
ENIV
EZ
ERD
EFTA
ETRC
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ESENV
ENNP
ENVI
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECINECONCS
EFINECONCS
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXIM
ERNG
ECA
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
IC
IV
IAEA
IR
IO
IT
IN
IS
IZ
IMO
IPR
IWC
ICAO
ILO
ID
ICTY
ICJ
INMARSAT
INDO
IL
IMF
IRS
IQ
IA
ICRC
IDA
IAHRC
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
IGAD
ILC
ITU
ITF
INRA
INRO
IDP
ICTR
IEFIN
IRC
ITRA
ITALY
INRB
INTELSAT
IBET
IRAQI
ISRAELI
IIP
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
ISRAEL
IACI
KBTR
KPAO
KOMC
KCRM
KDEM
KHIV
KBIO
KTIA
KMDR
KNNP
KSCA
KTIP
KWMN
KIPR
KCOR
KRVC
KFRD
KPAL
KWBG
KE
KTDB
KUNR
KSPR
KJUS
KGHG
KAWC
KCFE
KGCC
KOLY
KSUM
KACT
KISL
KTFN
KFLU
KSTH
KMPI
KHDP
KS
KHLS
KMRS
KID
KN
KU
KAWK
KSAC
KCOM
KAID
KIRC
KWMNCS
KMCA
KNEI
KCRS
KPKO
KICC
KPOA
KV
KDRG
KIRF
KSEO
KVPR
KSEP
KTER
KBCT
KFIN
KGIC
KCIP
KZ
KG
KWAC
KRAD
KPRP
KTEX
KNAR
KPLS
KPAK
KSTC
KFLO
KSCI
KIDE
KOMS
KHSA
KSAF
KPWR
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFSC
KRIM
KVRP
KENV
KNSD
KCGC
KDDG
KPRV
KTBT
KWMM
KMFO
KMOC
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KPAI
KO
KVIR
KREC
KX
KR
KCRCM
KBTS
KOCI
KGIT
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KNPP
KJUST
KCMR
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KMIG
KRGY
KIFR
MARR
MOPS
MASS
MX
MNUC
MCAP
MO
MR
MEPP
MTCRE
MAPP
MEPN
MZ
MT
ML
MA
MY
MIL
MD
MASSMNUC
MU
MK
MTCR
MUCN
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MC
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MTRE
MASC
MG
MARAD
MRCRE
MW
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
NATO
NZ
NL
NO
NK
NU
NPT
NI
NG
NEW
NSF
NA
NPG
NSG
NE
NSSP
NS
NDP
NSC
NAFTA
NH
NV
NP
NPA
NSFO
NT
NW
NASA
NORAD
NATIONAL
NGO
NR
NIPP
NZUS
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
OEXC
OTRA
OPRC
OVIP
OAS
OIIP
OSCE
OREP
OPIC
OFDP
OMIG
ODIP
OVP
OSCI
OIC
OECD
OIE
OPDC
ON
OCII
OPAD
OBSP
OFFICIALS
OPCW
OHUM
OES
OCS
OTR
OSAC
OFDA
PGOV
PREL
PM
PHUM
PTER
PINR
PINS
PREF
PARM
PL
PK
PU
PBTS
PBIO
PHSA
PE
PO
PROP
PA
PNAT
POL
PLN
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PCUL
PAK
PGGV
PAO
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PAS
PGIV
PHUMPREL
PCI
PG
POGOV
PHUMPGOV
PEL
POLITICS
POLICY
PINL
PP
PREO
PAHO
PBT
PMIL
POV
PRL
PDOV
PTBS
PRAM
PREFA
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PALESTINIAN
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PINF
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PGOC
PY
PHUH
PF
PHUS
RU
RS
RO
RW
RP
RFE
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
ROOD
RCMP
RM
RSO
ROBERT
RICE
RSP
RF
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
RELATIONS
SENV
SU
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SL
SW
SMIG
SP
SY
SA
SHUM
SZ
SYRIA
SF
SR
SO
SARS
SN
SC
SIPRS
SI
SYR
SEVN
SG
SPCE
SK
STEINBERG
SH
SNARCS
SAARC
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SEN
SANC
SWE
SHI
TW
TU
TBIO
TSPL
TPHY
TRGY
TC
TT
TSPA
TINT
TERRORISM
TX
TR
TS
TN
TD
TH
TIP
TNGD
TI
TZ
THPY
TP
TBID
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
UN
UK
UNSC
UNGA
US
UNESCO
UP
UNHRC
UNAUS
USTR
UNDP
UNEP
UY
UNCHR
UG
UZ
UNPUOS
USEU
UNMIK
UNDC
UNICEF
UV
UNHCR
UNCHC
UNCSD
USOAS
UNFCYP
USUN
USNC
UNIDROIT
UNO
UNCND
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08BOGOTA4353, COLOMBIAN PALM: RURAL SAVIOR OR HUMAN RIGHTS
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. #08BOGOTA4353.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08BOGOTA4353 | 2008-12-09 18:21 | 2011-04-24 12:30 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Bogota |
Appears in these articles: http://www.elespectador.com/wikileaks |
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBO #4353/01 3441821
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 091821Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5970
INFO RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 8546
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1399
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 6809
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ DEC PANAMA 2752
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 7501
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
UNCLAS BOGOTA 004353
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
WHA/EPSC FOR FCORNEILLE; EEB/ESC FOR MMCMANUS; OES/ENV FOR
JBENFORADO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR SENV ENRG ECON PGOV PHUM CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIAN PALM: RURAL SAVIOR OR HUMAN RIGHTS
ALBATROSS?
REF: BOGOTA 2331
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Driven by strong international demand for
palm oil, improving security in rural areas, government
support for viable alternatives to coca, and domestic demand
for palm oil-derived biodiesel, Colombia's palm industry has
expanded 70 percent since 2003. As a result, it now ranks as
the largest in the Americas and the fifth largest in the
world. President Uribe frequently points to palm as
Colombia's future motor of rural development and employment
as conflict recedes. However, the sector has come under
repeated allegations of profiting from forced displacements
of Afro-Colombian and indigenous populations, destroying
biodiversity, failing to benefit small farmers, and creating
an unsustainable industry unable to compete globally. A more
detailed analysis reveals that many of the allegations appear
exaggerated or unsubstantiated. Nevertheless, the Colombian
palm sector, and the licit employment it creates, risk
permanent denigration unless producers and the GOC are more
successful at combatting this negative image. END SUMMARY.
Misconception #1: Conflict Palm Widespread
------------------------------------------
¶2. (SBU) Colombia's Pacific Coast region suffers from
numerous long-standing land tenure conflicts fueled by
displacements of local Afro-Colombian and indigenous
populations by illegal paramilitary forces, as well as by
individual legal disputes related to Colombia's collective
titling law (Law 70). Approximately 32,000 hectares of land
in Choco Department alone are in dispute under Law 70. Of
that total, 4,000 hectares were the subject of two
high-profile forced displacements in the Uraba region
(Curvarado and Jiguamiando) which were then planted with
palm. While none of the firms responsible for the subsequent
palm cultivation are members of Colombia's National
Federation of Palm Grower's (Fedepalma) or mainstream
producers, various human rights NGOs to have attempted to
link palm production generally to Colombia's armed conflict
and land rights issues as a result of these incidents.
¶3. (SBU) Civil society representatives such as Zoraida
Castillo of Lutheran World Relief and Aida Pesquera of Oxfam
tell us that slow progress by the GOC in securing justice in
theUraba incidents has obscured the fact that such
documented cases represent less than two percent of
Colombia's palm cultivation. While the vast majority of the
industry has not been subject to such conflict, Fedepalma
President Jens Mesa Dishington told Econoff that he considers
the prospect of industry-wide stigmatization resulting from
isolated abuses as the most significant risk to the brand of
Colombian palm. In an effort to address the situation,
Fedepalma has supported pending legislation in Colombia's
Congress to require clear registration of all agricultural
land as a means to impede profiting from displacements. The
human rights group Association for Alternative Social
Promotion (MINGA), which blames pro-agribusiness GOC policies
for driving indigenous and peasant farmers off the land,
recognizes that Colombian land problems extend well beyond
palm, and recommends that instead of new laws the GOC should
allocate more resources to the existing institutions
responsible for land titling.
Misconception #2: Palm Destroying Biodiversity
--------------------------------------------- -
¶4. (U) Critics of the palm industry frequently assert that
growers are razing biodiverse lands, particularly on the
Pacific Coast, in order to introduce new cultivation. While
palm cultivation grew from 206,000 planted hectares in 2003
to an estimated 340,000 hectares in 2008, the growth has
occurred predominately in the traditional agricultural areas
of Meta, Cesar, Santander and Magdalena. Only ten percent
(34,000 hectares) of Colombia's palm sector is located in the
Pacific Coast, and its participation is declining, down from
13 percent in 2003. The GOC and Fedepalma are aware of the
global association of palm production with deforestation, and
have a stated policy of developing Colombia's palm oil and
biodiesel industry utilizing only degraded lands or lands
already in agricultural production. To that end, the GOC has
identified 3.5 million hectares of such land, of which only
66,000 hectares are located in the Pacific Coast Departments.
¶5. (SBU) Likewise, producers have engaged NGOs directly and
through the Kuala Lampur-based Roundtable for Sustainable
Palm Oil (RSPO), which has established eight principles and
related criteria for sustainable palm oil development. One
Colombian palm producer, Daabon, has already begun the
certification process. Fedepalma Sustainable Development
Director Andres Castro told us that Fedepalma, which
represents approximately 80 percent of Colombian palm oil
production, is also working with the GOC on a "national
interpretation" of the RSPO criteria to inform Colombian
growers how the criteria fits with existing GOC regulations.
Finally, Fedepalma, with support from the World Wildlife
Fund, held the first-ever Latin American Roundtable Meeting
on Sustainable Palm Development in October. Reflective of
these efforts, the Journal of Environmental Science and
Technology identified Colombia as one of the top five
countries for capacity to sustainably develop its palm
industry.
Misconception #3: Small Farmers Left Out
----------------------------------------
¶6. (U) While critics often portray Colombia's palm sector as
large-scale agroindustry, Fedepalma estimates over 5,300 of
Colombia's 7,000 palm growers are small producers cultivating
plots of 50 hectares or less, producing 20 percent of
national palm oil output. According to Fedepalma statistics,
Colombia's palm sector supports 40,000 direct jobs, including
many on small farms, and 55,000 indirect jobs in 93
municipalities and 16 departments. As the pruning of palm
trees and the harvesting of palm fruit are both labor
intensive and do not have viable mechanization alternatives,
the sector employs on average one worker per ten hectares of
palm cultivation. In addition to the new jobs that palm
production has created, palm oil mills and producers have
formed 109 production alliances across the country to ensure
existing small producers have access to credit and markets
and mills have a steady supply of palm fruit.
¶7. (U) USAID, through its Alternative Development Program,
supports an additional 2,400 small landowners through 24
palm projects totaling nearly 36,000 hectares. USAID has
promoted a system of alliances between large and small
producers to share the technical knowledge, access to credit,
risk-bearing capability of large producers with small
producers that provide much of the sector's 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.
Misconception #4: Colombian Palm Cannot Compete
--------------------------------------------- --
¶8. (U) Despite Colombia's recent boom in palm oil production,
many critics assert that the industry remains uncompetitive
over the long term. Due largely to high labor costs,
Colombia's average production cost (USD 450 per metric ton)
is as much as double that of Asian producers. Nevertheless,
Colombia ranks fourth worldwide in palm oil yield per
hectare, possesses strong domestic demand for dietary
consumption of palm oil, and enjoys lower transportation
costs to the U.S. and European markets. Currently 46 percent
of Colombian production is directed to exports, with the
Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, and Mexico representing
Colombia's largest markets.
¶9. (SBU) In addition, palm oil has become a principal
feedstock for biodiesel in Colombia, for which the GOC has
mandated five percent biodiesel blending into local diesel
fuel. The GOC forecasts Colombia's overall diesel
consumption will grow nine times faster than gasoline
consumption over the next 15 years. This growing diesel
demand combined with the biodiesel blending mandates, which
are set to increase to ten percent in 2010 and 20 percent in
2020, create a guaranteed domestic demand for Colombian palm
oil. Four biodiesel plants have come on-line in the last 18
months and two more will enter operation by mid-2009 to
process biodiesel for the impending ten percent blend.
According to Maria Emma Nuez, President of Colombia's Palm
Oil Marketing Association (Acepalma), crude palm oil
production will reach 806.000 tons in 2008 and 872,000 tons
in 2009 in response to domestic demand for palm oil-derived
biodiesel. Over the longer term, the Ministry of Agriculture
forecasts that Colombia will need to increase palm
cultivation by 700,000 hectares to produce the estimated 3.3
million liters of biodiesel Colombia will require by 2020.
Why Controversy Persists
------------------------
¶10. (SBU) Independent observers such as Jonathan Glennie,
Country Director for Christian Aid Colombia, say much of the
controversy surrounding palm has little to do with the
industry itself and more do with booming sector becoming a
causecelebre for local communities and activists frustrated
with Colombia's broader land tenure issues, skeptical of the
country's history of boom/bust cash crops, and distrustful of
agroindustry. Zoraida Castillo and other civil society
representatives also cite the lack of GOC progress in
resolving the few, but egregious, cases of documented forced
displacement and subsequent palm cultivation in Uraba. The
pace, they say, fosters a perception among marginalized
communities that government authorities and large-scale palm
producers have colluded to advance their economic interests
at the expense of human rights and environmental protection.
Comment: Clarifying the Record Before Its Too Late
--------------------------------------------- ------
¶11. (SBU) The GOC recognizes that for a post-conflict
scenario to be sustainable, rural employment opportunities
must be generated. Palm has the potential to be one of the
principal motors of such employment. But whereas Colombian
palm should enjoy an image boost -- particularly compared
with Asian palm -- because of lack of rainforest destruction,
it is instead on the defensive due to human rights
allegations. Signs are that the palm industry and the GOC,
after merely dismissing the allegations as baseless, are now
beginning to grasp the potential long-term damage to the
Colombian palm brand. Senior Agriculture Ministry Advisor
Andres Espinosa told EconCouns that Agriculture Minister
Arias is seized with the issue and is coordinating a GOC
working group with producers and civil society to clarify the
public record. For its part, Fedepalma Sustainable
Development Director Castro Mesa says his association will
continue to push the GOC in private to resolve the
outstanding land and human rights cases in Uraba while
encouraging its members to pursue sustainability
certifications and deepen alliances with small producers.
NICHOLS
=======================CABLE ENDS============================