The Star Online (23/12/2018) - PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will mount a strong protest against the decision by the French National Assembly to exclude the use of palm oil as a biodiesel feedstock.

Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said the decision was an unwarranted and unjustified move that could potentially disrupt the livelihood of millions in key palm oil producer nations including Malaysia.

“This is a condemnation of our commodity palm oil, which contributes significantly to our GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and livelihood of more than three million people in Malaysia,” Kok said in a statement.

She warned that the decision could hurt Malaysia’s trade ties with France.

“Their action to ultimately exclude the usage and importation of palm oil as part of the approved renewable energy mix could consequentially affect our bilateral trade relations.

“Malaysia plans to protest strongly against this action and will also muster support from other key palm oil producers.”

Kok said it was regrettable that the parliamentarians were making an uninformed decision as sustainable oil palm is good for the environment and supports the socio-economic development of palm oil producing countries.

The French vote effectively plans to treat all palm oil produced as unsustainable, said Kok.

“This is based on their stated pretext that all palm oil including those certified sustainable and already demonstrated to have low green house gas emissions as causing destruction to the rainforests and environment.”

She said such unsubstantiated assumptions to support their decision in reality hinders Malaysia’s efforts to adopt and achieve its sustainable goals as defined by the United Nations sustainability charter.

Kok called on the French Senate not to endorse the Lower House’s vote.

“I appeal to the French authorities to reconsider this anti-palm oil vote or be ready to face retaliatory actions on bilateral trade and other ongoing collaborations, from all palm oil producers including Malaysia,” she said.