Singapore-based agribusiness giant Olam under FSC scanner over deforestation

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has started its investigation into whether Olam, an agribusiness company, deforested over 25,000 hectares of rainforests in order to develop vast oil-palm and rubber plantations in Gabon.

A complaint that Olam breached FSC rules was first filed in 2016 by the campaign group Mighty Earth.

However, Olam strongly rejected allegations of “irresponsible deforestation or land conversion.”

Another report published by the World Rainforest Movement accused the company of making “meaningless deforestation commitments” and of neglecting the rights of local communities.