Malaysia calls on EU to recognize efforts of palm oil producing nations

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Malaysia on Wednesday urged the EU to recognize and appreciate the efforts of palm oil-producing countries in meeting the EU Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR), state news agency Bernama reported.

Addressing the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) International Palm Oil Congress and Exhibition (PIPOC 2023) in Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said palm oil producing countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand have taken aggressive measures to comply with the regulation.

“I think European countries must show appreciation and reciprocate -- not necessarily (by) supporting financially but at least in giving that recognition - and therefore recognize the efforts by Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand in this regard,” he said.

“In the desire to continue with this reduction in carbon emissions, (they need) to take into consideration all the problems of the emerging economies,” he added.

Anwar said Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin gave him “assurance that Thailand would come on board to work together with Malaysia and Indonesia and hopefully other countries in presenting our case, particularly to the EU.”

The EU should “focus on the current efforts taken by the producing countries instead of dwelling on the past,” he added.

Globally, palm oil is the most produced vegetable oil, comprising 32% of the 246 million tons of oils and fats 2022.

Malaysian agro-commodity products, primarily palm oil, timber, cocoa, and rubber exports, will be subject to the EUDR, which is expected to take effect from January 2025.

Under the regulation, any operator or trader who places commodities such as soy, beef, palm oil, wood, cocoa, coffee, rubber on the EU market, or exports from it, must be able to prove that the products do not originate from recently deforested land or have contributed to forest degradation.