Dying for a Biscuit

Episode image for Dying for a Biscuit

Duration: 29 minutes

If consumers knew that buying their favourite chocolate bar contributed to the extinction of the orangutan and fuelled global warming, would they still treat themselves?

The UK consumes huge amounts of palm oil, an ingredient found in scores of products including biscuits, fish fingers, cosmetics and toiletries. Reporter Raphael Rowe journeys into the rainforest of Borneo, where he uncovers evidence of palm oil companies cutting down trees illegally and developing plantations on protected land, the deforestation releasing huge amounts of greenhouse gases into the global environment.

As the forest disappears, at a rate of two football pitches every minute, so too does the habitat of man's closest cousins, the critically endangered orangutan.

Last on

Mon 1 Mar 2010 02:00 BBC One only on Wales

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  • Palm oil products and the weekly shop

    In researching Dying for a Biscuit, Panorama asked the makers of the top selling products containing palm oil and the major supermarket chains about their palm oil use. We also requested information on how they sourced their palm oil and whether or not they participate in the GreenPalm trading scheme, aimed at encouraging growers to produce more sustainable oil.

    Companies respond to Panorama

  • Benn: 'Power lies with shoppers'

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    Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, told Panorama that it is up to consumers to send manufacturers a message about sourcing palm oil that does not threaten the endangered orangutan or contribute to destruction of the rainforest.
    In January, Mr Benn announced that DEFRA will be undertaking the first research project of its kind to assess the UK's relationship with palm oil, including how much is consumed and where it is used most, including government procurement.
    He said that working with business, the government will attempt to map the palm oil supply chain to the UK in a bid to help shift Britain's supply to sustainable sources.

  • Rescued orangutans find sanctuary

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    Chingo and Jojo are just two of the thousands of orangutans whose lives have been blighted by the destruction of the Indonesian rainforest. Panorama followed their journey from rescue to re-homing.
    But what does the future hold for man's closest relative? Demand for palm oil found in many products sold in British supermarkets is feeding the industry that threatens to wipe out an entire species.

  • Orangutan survival and the shopping trolley

    Panorama investigates how demand for the palm oil that lands in our shopping trolleys is killing Indonesia's orangutans.

    Read about Panorama's investigation

  • In Pictures: Plight of Indonesia's Orangutans

    View the picture gallery

  • The making of Dying for a Biscuit

    Read and comment on reporter Raphael Rowe's blog

  • Your comments

    Read a selection of your comments on the programme

  • Panorama 2000 to present

    If you'd like to know more about Panorama programmes dating back to 2000, including features, transcripts, video content and more, please click on the link below.

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Credits

Presenter
Jeremy Vine
Reporter
Raphael Rowe
Director
Steven Grandison
Producer
Steven Grandison

Broadcasts

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