A review into the agricultural commodity board acts will be done once heads of the respective boards are appointed.
Agriculture Minister Benny Allan announced this on Wednesday.
Allan said this when questioned by Talasea MP, Francis Maneke, when an appointment of the Oil Palm Industry Corporation (OPIC) board will be done and if there are plans to review the OPIC Act.
Maneke said oil palm was a major revenue earner for his province and the country however, for years OPIC was without a head.
He asked when this would be done as well as a review of the OPIC Act, which is 42 years old.
“The oil palm industry has not had an appointment for the board since 2015 when the term of the three oil palm smallholder representatives lapsed,” Maneke stated.
“I understand that many approaches and submissions were made for you and the Ministerial Appointments Committee (MIAC).
“My question is can you tell me and the oil palm growers when the full oil palm board will be appointed by MIAC and Cabinet?
“Can you also tell me and the oil palm growers of Papua New Guinea if the OPIC Act will also be reviewed?”
Minister Allan assured Maneke that the OPIC Board submissions was ready but awaiting consultation with stakeholders before being brought to Cabinet.
He said this includes the cocoa board.
Minister Allan added: “Once we have the boards in place, then the next thing we will do is review the Acts that we have. And I agree with the member that OPIC Act, and Cocoa, Coffee, and all the other commodity act are outdated so we will review those.”