KUALA LUMPUR: The European Union’s (EU) proposal to ban the use of Malaysian palm oil-based biofuel within the union is invalid and unjustified, an advocate for Planters United, an NGO made up of a group of planters, said.
EU should reconsider the proposal so that it does not affect the livelihood of small farmers, Tiow Weng Theong said.
He said Malaysia had taken the necessary steps and successfully implemented environmental control measures while enhancing the community’s living standards through oil palm cultivation activities.
The EU had claimed that Malaysia cultivated oil palm at the expense of damaging the environment, affecting climate change and impacting on biodiversity.
“As one of the world’s largest palm oil producers, Malaysia has never neglected the environmental aspects of its production.
“The biodiversity balance is constantly factored into the process of producing palm oil.
“We have taken various initiatives such as investing in sustainable farming and adhering to sustainable practices of palm oil around the world,” Tiow said in a statement.
He said Malaysia had a sustainable palm oil production chain that was certified in accordance with the standards of international laws and regulations.
“There is no reason for the EU to ban palm oil-based biofuel, seeing that all the measures have been implemented successfully.
“We urge the EU to reconsider its proposal so that the livelihood of small farmers is not negatively affected and well-intentioned countries like Malaysia are not discredited for their move towards the right direction,” he added. - FMT
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