Malaysia calls on EU to amend biofuel directive

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board and Malaysian Timber Council has organized a nine-day joint ministerial mission led by Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Peter Chin Fah Kui in early September to address issues on the use of palm oil and Malaysian timber for biofuel production with stakeholders in Europe. “The decision by the Industry Committee to raise the percentage of carbon emission savings for palm-based biodiesel from the specified threshold level of 35% to 45% implied that the EU does not want to entertain the inclusion of biodiesel from oil palm, soya and rape seed,” Chin said. Chin felt that if the directive would be followed, the EU would not achieve its objectives on biofuel usage. He believed the industry committee’s decision would not be accepted by all EU member states. “This means we still have the opportunity to discuss the matter with EU members. We will continue to find ways on how to influence EU member states to amend the conditions set by the committee, he said. (September 15, 2008)