KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) — The government is urging the European Union (EU) to address the concerns of Malaysia and the entire palm oil sector effectively and expeditiously after the EU member states voted to approve the negotiated deal on the EU’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the regulation is a deliberate effort to increase costs and barriers for Malaysia’s palm oil sector, including the more than 450,000 smallholders.
“This ultimately would increase poverty, reduce household incomes and harm rural communities in Malaysia, outcomes that stand in stark contrast to the EU’s commitments outlined in the United Nation (UN) Sustainable Development Goals,” he said on a statement today.
Fadillah who is also the Plantation and Commodities Minister said it is disappointing to witness the EU withdrawing from the global marketplace and erecting protectionist barriers.
“This move is woefully misguided, especially as the Asean and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) groupings are gaining in influence and attracting new partners from around the world,” he said.
According to Fadillah, the EUDR is unjust and serves primarily to protect a domestic oilseeds market that is inefficient and cannot compete with Malaysia’s efficient and productive palm oil exports.
Fadillah said that Malaysia, nevertheless, remains open to engagement with the EU to address these concerns.
He said the EU must now commit to genuine involvement for both governments and industries from producing countries, including as part of the ongoing deforestation platform.
Fadillah said Malaysia restates its core position that a Small Farmer exemption is needed in the EUDR to prevent large European importers from cutting smallholders out of supply chains.
The EU should also commit to not classifying Malaysia as a ‘high risk’ country nor pursuing a jurisdictional approach.
“The designation of Malaysia as high risk is unjustified. Malaysia has made, and kept, world-leading commitments to forest conservation and sustainable agriculture that have been recognised by leading global institutions such as the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Bank,” he said.
The EU should acknowledge the benefits of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) standard – a mandatory sustainability certification – and recognise it as a path to compliance with the EUDR, added Fadillah.
— Akses Malaysia
Akses Malaysia merupakan satu saluran pengetahuan dan informasi yang disediakan bagi membolehkan pembaca mendapatkankan info-info terkini dalam dan luar negara.
- Akses Malaysia
- Akses Malaysia
- Akses Malaysia
- Akses Malaysia
