KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 — Sime Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP) expects to resume its exports of palm oil to the United States (US), following the US Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) finding that its products were no longer being produced through the use of forced labour.
According to a statement by the US Department of Homeland Security, the CBP has determined that their products are no longer being produced with the use of forced labour in violation of section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930.
In response to queries from Bernama, the plantation giant said that it is aware of the notice from the CBP which was posted on the Federal Register website under the Public Inspection section, adding that it would be issuing a statement on the matter once the notification is officially published on the Federal Register.
“We are optimistic that the tremendous strides we have made in bolstering the quality of life for our workforce will be recognised by the CBP and that we will be allowed to resume exports to the US,” it said.
To recap, on December 30, 2020, the CBP issued a withhold release order to SDP against palm oil and palm oil products by SDP and its subsidiaries and joint ventures at SDP’s Malaysian operations, stating that certain palm oil products of the company were produced using convict, forced indentured labour.
— Bernama
