Malaysia, France to Hold Dialogues for Better Understanding of Palm Oil

(Bernama/Borneo Post) Malaysia and France will hold joint dialogues and strengthen engagements to promote better understanding of the palm oil industry, said the Primary Industries Ministry.

Its minister, Teresa Kok said this followed a courtesy call on her from French Ambassador to Malaysia Frederic Laplanche here yesterday where they discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and dialogues on palm oil, as well as encouraging engagements between lawmakers from both countries.

This was prompted by the French National Assembly’s decision to exclude the use of palm oil as a biodiesel feedstock and to end tax incentives for palm oil as of 2020.

“We hope this will further address many questions related to palm oil production and sustainability among French lawmakers and its consumers,” Kok said in a statement yesterday.

Laplanche also notified Kok of French Environment Ambassador Wehrling Yann’s plan to visit Malaysia to get a first-hand exposure on Malaysia’s sustainable palm oil practices and conservation efforts.

In an effort to deal with negative perception among French consumers towards palm oil, he said the French Embassy would be coordinating a programme involving the Institute of Higher Studies for Science and Technology in France focusing on infrastructure development, higher education and the palm oil industry.

The programme will be participated by academicians, as well as private sector and government officials from both sides, and its outcomes will be tabled in the French Parliament.

Kok said the move had upset Malaysia as it was seen as a de facto ban as the removal of the fiscal incentive would increase palm oil price and create a disincentive for its continued use as raw material for renewable energy. READ MORE