Malaysia to sue European Union in WTO lawsuit over palm oil

January 17, 2021 |

In Malaysia, Scandasia reports that the Malaysian government plans to file a lawsuit against the European Union on the trade bloc’s policy to phase out palm oil-based biofuels imports to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by 2030.

“Datuk Dr. Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister said at a press conference at the Palm Oil Economic Review and Outlook Virtual Conference 2021, that Malaysia will continue to fight against any discriminatory actions which pose a threat to the country’s economy and the livelihood of its people,” according to Scandasia. “The EU has adopted a delegated act proposal that implements the Renewable Energy Directive II (REDII). In RED II, the overall EU target for Renewable Energy Sources consumption by 2030 has been raised to 32%. The directive suggests that crops like palm oil could cause deforestation and increase use of transportation fuel which contributes to greenhouse emission and indirectly leads to land-use change – which then classifies these crops as a “high-risk” activity.”

Category: Policy

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