Malaysian Palm Oil Council secures support from EU politicians; Energises new campaign in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Dato’ Lee Yeow Chor, Chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), outlines how the industry has responded quickly and effectively to the EU’s planned ban on Palm Oil biofuels under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED).

In Malaysia, MPOC’s experience with digital campaigning has been invaluable. A new campaign – Faces of Palm Oil – was supported by MPOC, giving a platform for Malaysia’s small farmers of Palm Oil to express their opposition to the EU plan.

The Faces of Palm Oil platform, and expert advice provided by MPOC, has energized a nationwide movement, dominating media debate on the issue, and culminating in a small farmer protest against the EU, in Kuala Lumpur on 16^th January.

MPOC’s proactive engagement inside Europe has also led to 57 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) tabling an amendment supporting Malaysian Palm Oil, and opposing the ban. MEPs also spoke in favour of Palm Oil during the European Parliament’s debates on the RED. MPOC’s strategy to engage with European Governments is also critical to the hope of overturning the EU’s planned ban on Palm Oil biofuels.

Dato’ Lee Yeow Chor, Chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), said:

“On behalf of the palm oil sector, and especially the 650,000 small farmers, I thank those principled MEPs who agreed with our position that the ban on Palm Oil is unjustified. MPOC looks forward to working with the many friends and supporters that we have in Europe, to continue to oppose this ban and to protect Malaysia’s Palm Oil future.

“MPOC will continue to support Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong in his media campaign in Europe, and we encourage all Malaysians to join with the Faces of Palm Oil campaign online and in the media. We will not rest as long as this unjust ban hangs over the head of our small farmers”

ENDS