07/03/2012 (TEMPO Interactive) - The government and palm oil businessmen will meet with the US’ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on March 23. Previously, the EPA issued a Notice of Data Availability (NODA) claiming that Indonesia’s crude palm oil (CPO) for bio-diesel materials was not environmentally friendly.

“On that day, we will present the proof in Washington to explain their NODA,” said Agriculture Deputy Minister Rusman Heriawan yesterday.

Another accusation that is denied, said the agricultural marketing and processing director-general, Zaenal Bachruddin, is the lack of efforts to recycle waste from palm oil processes to CPO. Businessmen and Indonesian CPO exporters have recycled the waste using channel pipes to avoid leakages.

Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to establish a Joint Ministerial Mission to present a similar material. The government has prepared evidence for the EPA, such as pictures of Indonesia’s palm oil forests, a gas emissions recorder and the policy on Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil, which will become effective as of this month.