Woodlark Island to be free of oil palms

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock John Hickey has advised that there will be no oil palm development taking place on Woodlark Island.
Minister Hickey said in a statement that the previous Milne Bay administration had invited investors into the province including Vitro Plant to look at promoting industry and development.
“Vitro Plant did carry out a feasibility study and was keen to invest on the island,” he said.
However, due to landowners’ objections on the development of the oil palm industry on the island, the company has decided to pull out.
Mr Hickey said oil palm was the largest income earner in the agriculture sector in Papua New Guinea.
He said the value of export in 2006 was K660 million compared to coffee and cocoa at K337 million and K204 million respectively.
Mr Hickey said the value of export of round logs in 2006 was K490 million.
He said the world market demand for oil palm was very high and would remain high and with the increase in both production and price, the value of export would increase in the medium to long term.
“The Government respects the wishes of the people and that of the company not to invest in the multi-million kina project,” Mr Hickey said.