@ AGROBiz says ... |
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Fair play for Malaysian palm oil |
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THE Malaysian palm oil industry is under siege .
With the European Union ’ s new Deforestation Regulation ( EUDR ) and ongoing anti-palm oil campaigns , our nation ’ s most valuable agricultural export faces unprecedented scrutiny .
While these initiatives aim to protect the environment , they often overlook the significant progress Malaysia has made in sustainable palm oil production .
The EUDR , while well-intentioned in its goal to prevent deforestation , casts an unfair shadow over Malaysian palm oil .
Malaysia has been at the forefront of responsible palm oil practices , with the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil ( MSPO ) certification setting high standards for environmental stewardship .
Despite this , the EUDR threatens to undermine these efforts , imposing stringent requirements that disproportionately impact our smallholders . These farmers , who form the backbone of the industry , may find it increasingly challenging to access key markets , placing their livelihoods at risk .
Moreover , the anti-palm oil campaigns in Europe and beyond often paint a one-sided picture , ignoring the complexities of palm oil production and its importance to Malaysia .
These campaigns , driven by misinformation and protectionist agendas , overlook the fact that palm oil is one of the most efficient oil crops , requiring less land and water compared to alternatives like soybean or rapeseed .
The vilification of palm oil not only undermines Malaysia ’ s efforts to produce it sustainably but also risks pushing farmers into more environmentally damaging crops .
In the face of these challenges , Malaysia must continue to champion its palm oil industry on the global stage , advocating for fair treatment and recognition of its sustainable practices . Our nation ’ s future in agriculture depends on it .
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