By Sarah Nadlin Rohim
Nikkei Markets
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 21) -- Malaysia is confident palm oil will not be discriminated in the European Union after securing support from some of the biggest nations in the bloc against the move, its plantation minister said Wednesday.
The world's second-largest palm oil producer after Indonesia has backing from five out of six most populous European nations, Minister Mah Siew Keong told reporters. He didn't name the countries although France and UK were among the nations that have previously stated their support for palm oil.
"We are confident the palm oil will not be discriminated," Mah said. "We will continue to have dialogue to individual countries in Europe by stating our commitment towards sustainability."
E.U. lawmakers have approved draft measures to reform the local power market that seek to lower energy consumption to meet broader climate goals. The plan includes a ban on the use of palm oil in motor fuels from 2021.
The EU move comes despite heavy protests from Malaysia and Indonesia which together account for more than 80% of global palm oil output.
Netherlands, the biggest export destination for Malaysian palm oil among the 28 EU member countries, committed earlier this month not to discriminate against palm oil.
- By Sarah Nadlin Rohim; sarah.nadlin@nikkeinewsrise.com; +60320267363
- Edited by Jason NG
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