Palm oil companies listed…[in Singapore] have denied that they are using slash-and-burn practices on their plantations in Indonesia. The land-clearing technique is seen as a key cause of the haze crisis now engulfing Singapore and Malaysia, but the companies say they opt for a mechanical approach that includes using excavators and bulldozers…Singapore-listed First Resources, which has over 158,000ha of oil palm plantations, said…that it adopts a zero-burning policy for new plantings and uses mechanical methods to clear land…Wilmar International and Golden Agri-Resources, the two largest palm oil companies listed here by market value, also emphasised their zero-burning policies in statements…Golden Agri, with a planted area of about 464,000ha across Indonesia, added yesterday that it monitors its processes stringently to ensure its contractors comply. [refers to Indofood Agri Resources, Cargill]