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Background - This was my own experience working with my organisation, Sawit Watch with support from the 11.11.11 to deal with series of activities relevant with RSPO in particular activities of the National Interpretation Working Group (INA-NIWG) meetings in Jakarta and Bogor, internal meetings Bogor (Secretariat, Sawit Watch), constituent meeting West Kalimantan, North Sumatra, Riau, and Central Kalimantan, and expert meeting.

The objective of Sawit Watch’s participation in the INA-NIWG is to ensure strong social inputs through national interpretation and implementation of the RSPO standards, procedures and practices that respect the rights and promote the interests of local communities, women, workers, indigenous peoples and smallholders.

This work is relevant with RSPO related works. Following the endorsement of Principles and Criteria, the RSPO members in Indonesia namely GAPKI representing growers, Sawit Watch, and WWF Indonesia set up National Interpretation Working Group (INA-NIWG) as an effort to interpret RSPO standards and indicators into national realities and regulations based on national situations. The composition of Indonesia National Interpretation Working Group (INA- NIWG) and its members as follow:

Chairman - Mr, Daud Dharsono (GAPKI) and Secretary - Mr. Ismu Zulfikar (GAPKI), working group comprises of 4 groups and led by the following:

· Group 1 – Legal, License & Social Issues: Led by – Mr. Rudy Lumuru (Sawit Watch). Members: Ministry of Environment, IPOC, GAPKI, National Land Agency, Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Industry.

· Group 2 – Environment and Natural Resources: Led by – Dr. Rosediana. S (IPOC). Members: WWF-Indonesia, GAPKI, RSPO Producer Members, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Environment;

· Group 3 – Agronomy and Mill Practices: Led by - Dr. Darnoko (GAPKI). Members: RSPO Producer members, GAPKI and Ministry of Agriculture;

· Group 4 - Economics and Labor: Led by - Mr. Steaven Halim (GAPKI). Members: Indonesian Association of Vegetable oils, GAPKI, Association of Oleo chemicals, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Industry, and Banks / Financial Institutions such as; Mega Bank, Permata Bank, Mandiri Bank, Standard Chartered Bank.

The INA-NIWG has worked effectively producing two drafts of national indicators and the second draft was tested through some field tests undertook in some volunteering plantation companies in Kalimantan and Sumatra. The draft based on inputs from field test and findings enriched drafts for two public consultations. The public consultations were attended by stakeholders of companies, research organizations, banks, and government officials, social and environmental NGOs.

Local and national inputs

During the process the ongoing works of INA-NIWG, Sawit Watch was provided with inputs from national and local NGOs, affected communities and indigenous peoples, farmers, individual members in Kalimantan and Sumatra. In dealing with legal issues legal advisors who are experts in land tenure and natural resources laws advocacy were active in the Sawit Watch’s team. During the field tests in some locations, our individual members also provided significant inputs in terms of providing monitoring inputs regarding certain companies’ operations on the grounds. Indeed, the RSPO principles and criteria are details, some very technical and complicated issues required expertise and specialized capacities to deal with.

Critical assessments

The participation in the national interpretation working group, in particular Sawit Watch leads Legal, License and Social Issues some critical points need further attention of social and environmental groups including (1) representation of the affected communities/peoples are not adequately accommodated; (2) industry group rejects to accept HCV assessments as important activity in before new plantation is established; (3) growers proposed change of cut-off date (7.3) from November 2005 to the date of implementation of RSPO principles and criteria; (4) the implementation of RSPO principles and criteria will increase production costs and would imply a significant policy change in companies’ operational levels; and (5) proposal to the fifth Criteria Working Group (CWG5) to drop some social criteria.