The Palm Brief
A resource to stay up-to-date on the latest news, expert commentary, in-depth analysis and policy recommendations related to the palm oil sector.
Global North Leaders Turn Against EUDR
What do a bipartisan group of Republican and Democrat U.S. Senators, 20 EU Agriculture Ministers, and Europe’s largest farming organisations all have in common? All are warning of the dangers…
ICYMI: The palm oil debate, like diets, needs to be more balanced
Writing in India’s Financial Express, the eminent American physician and health expert Dr Jonathan Ellen writes that recent criticism of palm oil from Indian commentators is “as stubborn as it…
Global South Nations Join Malaysia in Questioning EU ‘Green’ Protectionism
India’s commerce minister, Piyush Goyal, has openly criticized the European Union’s greenwashing of protectionist trade policies, echoing sentiments from Malaysia and other Global South nations that the EU’s current approach…
EU Agriculture Ministers Urge Delay of EUDR
Reuters reports European Agriculture Ministers from 20 of the EU’s 27 Member States are demanding changes to EUDR, including a delay to the implementation. Led by Austria’s Agriculture Minister Norbert…
Malaysia Welcomes Delay in EU Deforestation Rules
The Financial Times reports that EU officials are preparing to delay a key element of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), following pushback by Malaysia and other developing nations – led…
Statement on WTO Ruling from Malaysian Minister of Plantation & Commodities Johari Bin Abdul Ghani
Malaysia’s Minister for Plantation and Commodities, YB Datuk Seri Johari Bin Abdul Ghani, has issued a statement responding to the ruling of the WTO Panel in case Ds600 brought by…
Palm Fatty Acid Distillate Can be Transformative for Europe
Last month, the EU-based NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) published a report attacking Italian energy giant Eni’s use of Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD) in biofuel production. The report is…
EUDR: How Can it Address Malaysia’s Concerns?
On February 2nd, the EU convened its second Joint Task Force (JTF) meeting with Malaysia and Indonesia since the ad hoc body was formed last June. The JTF’s stated purpose…
Malaysian Palm Oil is Proven Sustainable, UK Analysis Concludes
The United Kingdom Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) – an expert advisory group to the UK Government – has concluded in an official report that “Malaysia operates a mandatory deforestation-free…
MSPO Receiving Global Recognition, Says Deputy Prime Minister
Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who also serves as Plantation and Commodities Minister, has confirmed that the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification is becoming globally recognized,…
Why is the World Still Confused About Trans Fats?
A scientifically-accurate description of the link between palm oil and trans fats could be summarised with two simple facts: These facts are universally accepted and supported by research, analyses and…
Brussels Update: Looking Beyond EUDR
The focus of attention for the palm oil sector, when it comes to EU regulations, has been the EU Deforestation Regulation. This is for good reason: the EUDR imposes significant…
Developing Nations Unite to Express Discontent with EU Deforestation Plans
This month, Malaysia joined 16 other commodity-producing nations in writing a letter to the European Union raising serious concerns about the approach the bloc has taken on the EU Deforestation…
A Communique from EU Commission Underscores Need for Continued Resolve
The EU Commission has released a new FAQ document related to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The EUDR is now in its implementation phase – an 18-month timeline has been…
New Data Confirm Malaysia is Leading Developing World in Lowering Deforestation, Protecting Forests
MPOC CEO: New Data Confirm Malaysia is Leading Developing World in Lowering Deforestation, Protecting Forests The latest data on global deforestation from the independent research group World Resources Institute (WRI) highlights…
Statement from MPOC on UK CPTPP Entry
MEDIA STATEMENT MPOC: UK’s CPTPP ENTRY IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MALAYSIAN FARMERS The U.K.’s formal accession into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was finalised on 16…
UK Praises Malaysia; New Forest Data Requires Brussels Rethink
This past week, outgoing British High Commissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay made departing remarks where he praised palm oil, effective diplomacy, Malaysia’s global and domestic efforts on eliminating deforestation, and…
Brussels Looks Inward; London Looks East
Last week, the European Parliament voted to approve the Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The vote was a formality and was pushed through as part of a sprawling mass of similar proposals,…
Statement from DPM on “Unjust” EUDR
MEDIA STATEMENT EUROPEAN UNION PARLIAMENT TURNS BACK ON ASEANPARTNERS WITH APPROVAL OF EUROPEAN UNIONDEFORESTATION REGULATION (EUDR) YAB DATO’ SRI HAJI FADILLAH BIN HAJI YUSOFDEPUTY PRIME MINISTERAND MINISTER OF PLANTATION AND…
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Sends Clear Message to Brussels
This week, Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Plantation & Commodities, YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Yusof, gave a speech before the Malaysian Parliament condemning the European Union’s push…
U.S. Announcement is Positive for Entire Palm Oil Sector; Follows Months of Engagement by Industry Leaders & MPOC
The U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) has announced they are lifting the Withhold Release Order (WRO) on Sime Darby Plantation (SDP), one of the largest producers of palm oil…
New Milestone in Malaysia’s Labour Rights Reforms
This past week marks another milestone in Malaysia’s journey of labour rights reform. On Thursday, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that they were lifting the Withhold Release…
Prime Minister Anwar & President Jokowi Meet, Agree to Combat EU Discrimination Against Palm Oil
Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim made palm oil one of his key issues during his visit to Indonesia this week to meet with Indonesian President Joko…
Malaysian Foreign Minister Signals United Front Over EU Discrimination
At the beginning of January, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir visited Jakarta to discuss “regional and global challenges” in the coming months – and specifically the EU Deforestation Regulation….
EU Deforestation Regulation Undermines Growth and Opportunities for Malaysia and Europe
In December, the EU Council, Parliament and Commission reached an agreement on the final text of the Deforestation Regulation. The Regulation in its current form will reduce market access and…
Media Statement from Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Plantation and Commodities, YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Bin Haji Yusof
EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products: A Deliberate Act To Block Market Access On 6th December 2022, The EU Council and Parliament reached a provisional deal on a proposal to minimise…
Welcome to MY Palm Oil Policy
Malaysian palm oil is an innovative and sustainable sector that is driving the Malaysian economy, supporting small farmers, uplifting rural communities and helping to feed the world. This new platform,…