EU SHOULD RECONSIDER PROPOSAL TO BAN PALM OIL-BASED BIOFUEL, SAYS NGO

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- The European Union (EU), which is proposing a ban on the use of Malaysian palm oil-based biofuel within the union, should reconsider the proposal so as not to affect the livelihood of small farmers, says an advocate for Planters United, a non-governmental organisation made up of a group of smallholder planters.  

Saying that the proposed ban was invalid and unjustified, Tiow Weng Theong pointed out that Malaysia had taken all necessary steps and successfully implemented various environmental control measures while enhance the community's living standards through oil palm cultivation activities.

The EU claimed that Malaysia cultivated oil palm at the expense of damaging the environment and affecting limate change and impacting on biodiversity.   

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“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 and we have taken various initiatives such as investing in sustainable farming and adhering to the sustainable practices of palm oil around the world,” he said in a statement.

Tiow stressed that Malaysia had a sustainable palm oil production chain that was certified in accordance with the standards of international laws and regulations.

“Therefore, there is no reason for the EU to ban palm oil-based biofuel, seeing that all the above-mentioned measures have been implemented successfully.

“We urge the EU to reconsider its proposals so that the livelihood of small farmers are not negatively affected and well-intentioned countries like Malaysia are not discredited for their move towards the right direction,” he added.

-- BERNAMA