BRUSSELS – The government will fight against any discriminatory trade practices against Malaysia’s agricommodity sector, says Deputy Prime Minister and Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
As a producing and trading country, Malaysia is deeply concerned over the law’s implementation and the implications not only for palm oil but also its other main commodities such as timber, cocoa, and rubber, said Fadillah.
The minister is on a Malaysia-Indonesia joint trade mission to the European Union (EU) to defend the palm oil industry following the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
“Some aspects of the risk-assessment process of the regulation are counterproductive to commitments to curb global deforestation and run the risk of disincentivising producing countries,” he said at a luncheon with the Malaysian diaspora here today.
Fadillah pointed out that the implementation of the regulation, announced by the EU on December 6, 2022, is based on unsound reasoning and has a weak scientific basis.
The EU is currently developing due diligence reporting to ensure companies comply with the EUDR.
“It places additional burdens on Malaysian palm oil exporters to the EU market, specifically on the additional traceability requirements and data that must be provided to end-customers based in the EU,” he said.
The EU accounts for 9.4% of Malaysia’s palm oil export volume or 1.47 million tonnes.
Fadillah said Malaysia values the EU as one of its important trading and investment partners.
However, Malaysia sees the EUDR as a deliberate act by Europe to block market access and protect its domestic oilseeds market, which is inefficient and cannot compete with the cost of palm oil.
Such a unilateral initiative, he said, is detrimental to free and fair trade and could adversely impact the global supply chain.
It could also lead to higher food prices and reduced output at a time of record global inflation.
Political agenda, lack of knowledge
Fadillah said the debates within the EU over palm oil and biofuel sustainability issues reflect a lack of knowledge and deep understanding about the topic and the rising concern that the bloc is driven by an overly political agenda.
“I want to reiterate that come what may, Malaysia will continue the battle to promote the positive image of Malaysian agricommodity products and prove what we can do best in adhering to sustainable production and consumption,” he said.
For Malaysia, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals remain the utmost priority.
“We have embarked on sustainability initiatives, including national certification schemes, such as the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme, Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme, and Sustainable Forest Management practices, with a view to facilitating access into the EU single market,” he said.
Fadillah said the MSPO standard already guarantees Malaysia’s commitment to comprehensive sustainability standards.
These standards show the country’s strong commitment and efforts to provide sustainable and deforestation-free palm oil to its European and global customers.
Therefore, he said, there is no need to add further costs and burdens to the industry, particularly to the smallholders, which will negatively impact their welfare and livelihood.
Agricommodity sector vital in poverty alleviation
The agricommodity sector has not only become a poverty alleviation tool but also significantly contributes to reviving the Malaysian economy post-Covid-19 pandemic, he said.
“I firmly believe that this ministry (Plantation and Commodities Ministry) is essential in spearheading the agricommodity trade and ensuring the sector is well-governed.
“(This is) particularly in protecting the livelihood of more than 700,000 smallholders with our initiatives and efforts…during these challenging times, providing job and business opportunities along the supply chain,” he said.
Hence, Fadillah said, the government has remained steadfast in its efforts to mitigate these challenges and fight baseless allegations.
“It is with this mandate that my ministry decided to show the world Malaysia’s strong positions, commitment and initiatives towards a sustainable agricommodity sector,” he added. – Bernama, May 29, 2023
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