Rubber forest in Gia Lai province (Photo: vnexpress.net) HCM City (VNA) – The Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG) will work to have ForestStewardship Council (FSC) certifications for all of its rubber forests as partof the sustainable development programme for 2019-2024 tenure.
Under the programme, which was announced in Ho Chi Minh City on May 29, thegroup will enhance corporate responsibility, promote economic efficiency, andensure benefits for relevant parties.
The VRG also plans to zone off 5,000 ha of forest land in its rubber projectarea for regeneration, boost cooperation with Swedish furniture retail giantIKEA to provide sustainable rubber and timber products, and encourage itsmembers to apply clean production and sustainable management measures tofurther develop the VRG brand.
In the last seven months of 2019, the group will update its regulations onsocial and environmental responsibility and recruitment policies, and approachthe FSC standards.
According to VRG Chairman Tran Ngoc Thuan, the sustainable developmentprogramme is a must in the context of global integration as most of theimporters require products to have clear origins and FSC certification, whichensures products come from responsibly managed forests that provideenvironmental, social, and economic benefits.
Standing Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Cong Tuanspoke highly of the VRG’s action plan, saying that besides ensuring quality,competitive prices, and prestigious business, rubber companies must be liablefor the community and the environment.
Tuan said that the VRG should further its work to achieve FSC certification inthe next one to two years, as well as fully realise local and globalsustainable forest standards.
The same day, the VRG inked a cooperation deal with several agencies under theMinistry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Oxfam, and PanNature.
The VRG is now managing more than 400,000 ha of rubber plantation across thecountry, as well as in Laos and Cambodia. –VNA
VNA
