KUCHING, April 21: The Malaysian government has voiced serious disappointment with the European Union’s (EU) approval of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) on Wednesday (April 19).
Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof said the EUDR is “unjust” and serves primarily to “protect a domestic oilseeds market that is inefficient and cannot compete with Malaysia’s efficient and productive palm oil exports”.
“The Regulation is a deliberate effort to increase costs and barriers for Malaysia’s palm oil sector, including more than 450,000 smallholders.
“This ultimately would increase poverty, reduce household incomes and harm our rural communities – outcomes that stand in stark contrast to the EU’s commitments outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” he said in a statement yesterday (April 20).
Fadillah said while Malaysia remains open to engagement with the EU to address these concerns, the EU must now commit to genuine involvement for both governments and industries from producing countries, including as part of the ongoing Deforestation Platform.
He reiterated that Malaysian palm oil is sustainable and one of the most-certified vegetable oils in the world today, therefore it is disappointing to witness the EU withdrawing from the global marketplace and erecting protectionist barriers through EUDR.
“The Malaysian government, working alongside our partners in Indonesia, is considering an appropriate response to this Regulation, given the importance of the palm oil sector and the clear intent to impose an unjustified trade barrier.
“The Malaysian government urges the EU to address the concerns of Malaysia and the entire palm oil sector effectively and expeditiously,” said Fadillah. — DayakDaily
