This case study of a palm oil concession in Liberia highlights wider policy considerations regarding large-scale land acquisitions in the global South including the need for both formal mechanisms to ensure free, prior and informed consent; and rigorous environmental and social impact assessments before operations start. This study by the University of Reading, UK was commissioned by FERN's partner Sustainable Development Institute (Friends of the Earth Liberia ) to carry out this independent social and environmental impact assessment of part of Sime Darby's concession area where the planting has not (yet) started.