Malaysia will file a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization over the European Union's plans to end the use of palm oil-based biofuels, a minister said Wednesday.

The Southeast Asian country is the world's second biggest palm oil producer after Indonesia and would be hit hard by the EU's plan to phase out its use in biofuels by 2030.

European restrictions were "discriminatory" and risked throwing the livelihoods of three million people into disarray, said Mohamed Khairuddin Aman Razali, the Malaysian minister overseeing the industry.

Khairuddin did not say when Malaysia would take its action, which follows a similar WTO lawsuit filed by Indonesia last December.

He added that Malaysia would also be involved as a "third party" in Indonesia's case.

Palm oil is the world's most widely used vegetable oil and a key ingredient in a wide range of products from food to cosmetics. It is also Malaysia's largest agricultural crop.

Environmentalists say it drives deforestation, with huge swathes of Southeast Asian rainforest logged in recent decades to make way for palm plantations.

Related Links
Global Trade News

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Pompeo to press for action in EU talks on China
Washington (AFP) June 25, 2020
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday he would open a dialogue with the European Union on China and voiced hope it would lead to tougher action. Pompeo said he had accepted a proposal for a dedicated channel on China policy with the 27-nation bloc as recommended by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell during virtual talks with Pompeo on June 15. "I'm very hopeful that I'll be able to travel to Europe here in just a handful of weeks to go kick that off," Pompeo, known for his hawkish v ... read more