Malaysia says European vote to ban palm oil biodiesel will set back trade relations

In Malaysia, the plantation and commodities minister criticized the European Parliament’s industry and energy committee’s support for a ban on palm oil-based biofuels as proposed by the environment committee as a step backwards for EU-Malaysian trade relations. The country sees the votes as a protectionist barrier because European oilseed-based biodiesel would still be allowed, though subject to the 3.8% cap on crop-based biofuels by 2030. They say palm oil exporters meet European sustainability criteria and as such should be allowed access to the market.