Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof

KUALA LUMPUR (May 17): Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto are optimistic that their joint mission to Brussels end-May to discuss the European Union Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR) will yield positive outcomes.

The ministers said they will seek clarity on the guidelines of the EUDR, besides its rules and regulations, and the European Union’s (EU) unacceptance of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification and ISPO (Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil), which is Indonesia's national sustainability certification scheme for palm oil.

Both ministers, through the joint mission organised by the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), plan to convey their concerns on the EUDR to EU policymakers and establish a strategic partnership on the implementation guidelines.

“On top of the EUDR, there is also the issue of traceability, where they (smallholders) need clear guidelines, how are they (EU) going to audit the whole value chain, what formula and what mechanics?” Fadillah said.

Meanwhile, Airlangga said the EU “cannot input its standard and say it is superior to others.”

Fadillah and Airlangga were speaking at a press conference after the CPOPC concluded its two-day meeting.

The meeting also took note of other proposed legislation under consideration by the EU such as the forced labour regulation, Green Claims Directive and Renewable Energy Directive III, that require the attention of stakeholders in the palm oil industry.

CPOPC has welcomed Honduras as the third member, representing the Latin America region. The council informed that the government of Papua New Guinea has also approved its membership to CPOPC.

CPOPC is an inter-governmental organisation established by Malaysia and Indonesia on Nov 21, 2015 to promote, develop and strengthen palm cultivation and industry cooperation among palm oil-producing countries.

Member countries of the CPOPC are unified in requesting the EU to continue engaging the producers in considering the proposals to be put forth at the May 30 to May 31, 2023 joint mission as a win-win formula to the EUDR implementation and other upcoming potential legislations.