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02/19/2013

Speakers at a press briefing at the National Press Club, discuss the social and environmental impacts of the Herakles Farms Palm Oil project in Cameroon. American-owned Herakles Farms plans to develop a huge oil palm plantation in an area eight times the size of Manhattan. Herakles took over the project from Sithe Global Sustainable Oils Cameroon (SGSOC) who signed a convention with the country’s government in 2009 to develop about 70,000 hectares. The legality of that convention has been questioned and despite claims by the company that most of the concession is secondary and degraded forest, research shows it will affect forests that have been identified as vital for endangered wildlife and serve as corridors to five crucial protected areas. Herakles claims the project will boost the economy and create jobs, but the company's plans have been met with widespread opposition from local NGOs and residents. Greenpeace is among the many voices calling for this development to be stopped.