In the wake of our decision to remove all Nestlé products from sale, we have met with senior representatives from Nestlé to discuss how we can best prevent extinction. Since the announcement – and since the actions from ourselves and other members of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums – we have been overwhelmed by the public response and support for sustainable palm oil.
We are pleased to say that, as Nestlé has made a renewed commitment to achieving 100 percent RSPO certified sustainable palm oil and has now been fully reinstated as a member of the RSPO, their products are available in the zoo again, effective immediately. Thank you for your support and understanding during the period where items were off sale.
Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil that comes from the fruit of oil palm trees. It is the world’s most widely used vegetable oil and global consumption is rising.
Unsustainable oil palm plantations are destroying rainforest homes in South East Asia and pushing wildlife such as orangutans to the brink of extinction.
Yet if produced sustainably, palm oil is a highly efficient crop and has the potential to be by far the most responsible vegetable oil option.
A new report by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature has identified sustainable palm oil as the most viable solution to the environmental crisis if further palm oil related deforestation is avoided.
The RSPO is backed not only by Chester Zoo, but also a range of conservation organisations such as WWF UK, The Orangutan Land Trust, The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and more.
We can all make a difference on this issue. If you would like to lend your support and ask Nestlé to urgently re-join the RSPO, you can contact them directly here.