Indonesia, Malaysia To Send Palm Oil Envoys To EU over Deforestation Law

TheIndonesia.id - Indonesia and Malaysia agreed to visit the European Union with the joint mission of communicating and preventing the unwanted consequences of the deforestation-free commodity regulations for the palm oil sector.

Quoting Antara, in a press conference on Thursday, February 9, 2023, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economy Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, and Malaysia's Commodities Minister, Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof, said the two countries held a meeting to discuss "several pressing issues" related to the palm oil industry. 

In recent years, the EU has imposed rules to regulate palm oil imports, noting that the cultivation of such crops results in excessive deforestation. It has drawn the ire of top producers such as Indonesia and Malaysia. 

“Regarding the political agreement on a deforestation-free commodity proposal in the European Union, this meeting agreed to carry out a joint mission to the European Union to communicate and prevent the unintended consequences of these regulations for the palm oil sector. This joint mission also seeks the possibility of a collaborative approach among interested parties," Airlangga said.

The schedule for a visit to the European Union will still be arranged, considering the need for approval from relevant parties who are members of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC).

CPOPC is said to continue to engage with the European Union in seeking outcomes that benefit both producing and consuming countries.

"The Deforestation Free Products Act (which the European Union agreed to prohibit deforestation products including coffee, soybeans, and some palm oil derivatives) affects not only palm oil but also commodities from other plantations," said Airlangga.

Furthermore, it was said that Indonesia and Malaysia wanted to explain their commitment to the principles of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mr. Airlangga also said that there needs to be a strategy for the wider recognition of the Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) and Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certifications in the global market.

Separately, Mr. Fadilah, who is also Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, said that the palm oil producers had put in place measures to protect the environment, without specifying what they are.

Last December, the EU agreed on a new law that makes it an obligation for companies to ensure that commodities sold in the EU do not come from deforested land.

Both countries hope Indonesia's and Malaysia's commitment to ISPO and MSPO will be accepted by the European Union and the global world.