Hello lovely supporters,

We just wanted to let you know how the follow up meeting with Kellogg's went.  We met metres from the Extinction Rebellion protests, which seemed appropriate to focus all our minds, unfortunately we did not see as much progress as we had hoped for.

These are our original requests from Kellogg’s (updates in bold):

x   Only use suppliers that involve zero rainforest destruction and zero harm to orangutans – NOT MET.

x   Publish complete transparency around the palm oil companies it has relationships with – published in their annual milestones report and will need to see 2018’s when it is published for evidence of progress from 60% not traceable to plantations.

x   Publicly support Wilmar on it's recent pledges and continue to apply a spotlight to ensure their actions back up their words – REFUSE TO DO THIS.  We thought this had been agreed but Kellogg’s are adamant that they do not take a public stance on such things, despite some hard questioning from Asha who rightly wants to know, if they won't, who will? 

x   Work with the other 22/26 worst palm oil offenders to adopt the same higher standards as Wilmar has pledged to - HAD NOT REVIEWED SO COULD NOT YET ANSWER.

x   Demonstrate progress ie how will we know real progress is being made, as previous promises have not resulted in less rainforest destruction or orangutan harm – IN PROGRESS.  In a few months Europe will move to 100% Segregated ie know where the palm oil has come from the milling stage onwards but does not meet our request for traceability to the plantation.

x   Lead the change and show the industry and wider world what is possible - use brand weight and influence to make positive changes – NOT DEMONSTRATED.

Items to follow up during the next discussion:

1.      The picture for Europe is 98% identity preserved (know which plantation the oil was grown on) and 2% mass balance (source of plantation is unknown). Can the 2% of mass balance be eliminated so it is more sustainable? Europe will be 100% Segregated soon.

2.      Get more information on where the non-segregated/mass balance palm oil comes from.  Mainly in markets where sustainable oil is not available and so need to show leadership and change these markets.

3.      What does good look like ie what is Kellogg's plan to move from the current status to completely rainforest-friendly IP palm oil (how can real progress be measured)?  They have not been working towards IP nor were they able to provide a plan that the rest of Kellogg’s is working towards globally on the use of palm oil.

4.      How can Kellogg's use it's influence to affect change across the palm oil industry?  Only want to work behind the scenes with suppliers but this is unlikely to drive forward the real change that is required, at the speed that is necessary.

5.      Have there been any palm oil suppliers/traders who have behaved so badly that they have been 'struck off'? Does Kellogg's have any red lines eg child exploitation which mean a supplier relationship must be terminated?  IOI were struck off but have now been reinstated.

6.      Could Kellogg's help put in place a logo or some way to make it easier for consumers to know which products have IP only palm oil in them?  Will investigate putting ‘No Palm Oil’ logo on products with none in and a ‘Certified RSPO’ logo on products with IP or Segregated palm oil.

7.      Can Kellogg's find out from the RSPO when greenpalm credits will be phased out ie the industry has had enough time too reform structurally?  No answer yet, will find out.

Education is required to help us all understand the pros and cons of using palm oil and the different types of traceability.  Kellogg’s would like to work with us on this and you can all help by educating your family and friends about consuming sustainable palm oil.  Obviously, it would help if the RSPO had a logo for IP palm oil which means its clean from plant to shelf.

To be honest, we had hoped for more, having given up days in the Christmas and Easter holidays to meet with Kellogg’s and so cannot say buy Kellogg’s if you have stopped, as not enough progress has been made yet.

Hope you are all having a dirty palm oil free Easter and we'd love to hear your thoughts!

Asha, Jia & Harvinder