Sign up to our newsletter!Palm oil is used in foods, cosmetics, cleaning products and fuels.But unsustainable palm oil production across south-east Asia is wrecking forest habitats, pushing iconic species such as orangutans and tigers to the edge of extinction.Chester Zoo is fighting back by developing a model which it's hoped can be replicated far and wide.More than 50 organisations agreed to source palm oil from entirely sustainable sources leading Chester to be dubbed the first Sustainable Palm Oil City in the world.During questions to the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Matheson asked what support the government could give to the Chester Zoo campaign.He said later: “These plantations are causing widespread habitat devastation of our precious rainforests. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. "As a result, iconic species that rely on these rainforests, such as orangutans, Sumatran elephants and tigers are being pushed to near extinction. They are allowing Kew Gardens and Alton Towers to open but not the 128 acres of Chester Zoo. during packed concert at Sturgis after 250,000 rowdy bikers gathered in South Dakota for annual rally amid pandemicConfusion mounts over Trump's executive orders on covid bailout with states saying they can't afford to kick in the $100 towards $400-a-week unemployment boost Iodine mouthwash could protect against Covid-19 because it has 'significant' virus-killing ability when used on sister viruses SARS and MERS, scientists claimQuarantine? 'The zoo gives me a glimmer of hope for the many species on the brink of extinction that it is helping. Last week , Chester MP, Chris Matheson called on ministers to redouble their efforts towards creating a fully sustainable palm oil supply chain. You can unsubscribe at any time. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. You can unsubscribe at any time.Unsustainable palm oil production is driving Sumatran orangutans towards extinctionSumatran tigers are among the many species being pushed to the brink of extinction by unsustainable oil palm plantations

Now a virtual meeting has been held between Cheshire Conservative MPs and Zoos Minister Zac Goldsmith to discuss the latest updates for Chester Zoo's future. During questions to the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs, Chris challenged ministers over sustainable palm oil, calling for support towards Chester Zoo’s sustainable palm oil project. While other ornamental gardens are allowed to re-open, such as Kew Gardens or Alton Towers, or even shops like Ikea, our zoo has been told to shut and no date given for a possible reopening. Animal-lovers are saving the UK's biggest zoo with £2.2m in donations in just five days - as the founder's granddaughter says she would be 'devastated' if it permanently shut.Chester Zoo launched a campaign on Wednesday as government laws keeping zoos shut mean it could be closed 'indefinitely'.Its boss pleaded with the public to help keep them afloat as the A sun bear eats from a wooden pole at Chester Zoo after the attraction launched a campaign to raise money to help keep the zoo running Elephants feed in their enclosure at Chester Zoo in Chester, north west England on June 4, 2020 Meanwhile the granddaughter of the man who founded Chester Zoo said she is 'truly devastated and heartbroken' the attraction is under threat.Jo Williams' late mother June was the youngest daughter of founder George Mottershead and has fond memories of growing up in the zoo's grounds.Eighty-nine years ago, her grandfather realised his lifetime dream of turning nine acres of land into a zoo where animals could roam freely without bars.Now Jo said she would be 'devastated' if it had to close, adding: 'I care deeply about it and its future.A zoo keeper feeds the lions at Chester Zoo after the attraction launched a campaign to raise money to help keep the zoo running 'If it shut, my family's dream of a better, more caring zoo for animals, a 'zoo without bars', would be shattered.

'Last Friday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the daily coronavirus press conference he hopes zoos like Chester can reopen in a safe way.Mr Hancock, who comes from the city and attended the King's School in Chester, said: 'It's something that is close to my heart. We are no longer accepting comments on this article.Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media GroupMoment Donald Trump is escorted out press conference by secret service as White House goes into lockdown over 'active shooter' outside... but returns minutes later to reveal they 'SHOT suspect' Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin admits that millions of unemployed will NOT get $400-a-week boost this week and claims 'most states might be able to pay in the next week or two' Could your mask help SPREAD coronavirus? https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/.../city-mp-chris-matheson-asks-16285477 This was to hear about the success of government-backed projects to protect rare Andean bears, Asian elephants and tigers from extinction as latest funding plans were unveiled for global wildlife conservation.Chester MP Chris Matheson. Ourexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.Unsustainable palm oil production is driving Sumatran orangutans towards extinctionSumatran tigers are among the many species being pushed to the brink of extinction by unsustainable oil palm plantations They are allowing Kew Gardens and Alton Towers to open but not the 128 acres of Chester Zoo.

Production has risen rapidly in recent decades, raising concerns around the devastating environmental impact, including on endangered species.