Farmers request block for French oil refineries using palm oil

June 2, 2018 |

In France, the largest farmers’ union asked that French oil refineries be blocked in protest at a decision allowing Total to use imported palm oil at a new biofuel production site. Earlier in May, the French government gave Total permission to use palm oil as a feedstock at its La Mede biofuel refinery.

Farmers who grow rapeseed and other local oilseed crops are upset about the palm oil approval because of the competition it brings as a cheaper oil feedstock and for its environmental and deforestation issues.

According to The Star, “The FNSEA farmers’ union was calling for refineries to be blocked from June 10 as part of nationwide protests, a spokeswoman said, confirming local media reports quoting FNSEA President Christiane Lambert. Farmers are also worried that ongoing trade talks between the EU and the Mercosur group of South American nations will lead to an influx of cheaper agricultural imports.

Category: Policy

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