KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Sime Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP) today expressed concern over a possible ban by the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), saying that it views the US as an important growing market for its products.
This is despite annual value of its exports to the world’s largest economy is a modest sum of about US$5 million at present, it said in a statement today.
The statement was issued following news reports identifying it as the “next major plantation firm” facing a withhold release order or import ban by the CBP after the US banned the imports of palm oil from FGV Holdings Bhd earlier this week over allegations that it used forced labour.
“It is a matter of public record that SDP is the subject of a petition filed by Liberty Shared (LS) with the CBP on April 20, 2020, as widely reported in the media.
“Despite our attempts to engage with the CBP, we have not had the opportunity to provide any explanation and neither has SDP been provided details of the allegation by LS,” SDP said.
The multinational public-listed company said it had earlier responded to LS’s petition summary and subsequent public statements in the best possible manner based on the limited information available.
SDP emphasised its position of leadership in driving the principles of sustainable development across the operations.
“Our responses underline our serious commitment to upholding human rights and genuine intention to remedy any lapses in our operations and supply chain.
“They are further underscored by our plan, following our engagement with LS, to commission an independent review of our governance, procedures and practices related to the areas of concern, the details of which will be announced in due course,” it said.
SDP added that it will continue engagements with the organisation with the sincere hope of being able to obtain details of the allegations to address them at the earliest opportunity.