MPIC Government of Malaysia and Ministry of : BRIEFING ON FOOD SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES OF MALAYSIAN PALM OIL TO AMBASSADORS FROM EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES FRIDAY, 20 JANUARY 2017

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BRIEFING ON FOOD SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES OF MALAYSIAN PALM OIL TO

AMBASSADORS FROM EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES

FRIDAY, 20 JANUARY 2017

1. In conjunction with celebration of 100 years oil palm commercialization in Malaysia, the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, YB Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, held a briefing on food safety and sustainability related issues of Malaysian Palm to Ambassadors from European Union (EU) Countries at the Ministry on Friday, 20 January 2017.

2. The EU delegation was lead by H.E. Ms. Maria Castillo Fernandez and participated by 15 Ambassadors/representatives from EU Countries in Malaysia.

3. The briefing was focused on Malaysia's concern with the evolving anti palm oil campaign in the EU, including linking palm oil to health and deforestation issues.

4. In his opening remarks, YB Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong responded to the matter by reiterating that Malaysian palm oil industry is subjected to 60 regulations covering wide spectrum of laws such as food safety, environmental, labour and many more. It is clear that Palm Oil Industry in Malaysia is a heavily regulated industry. Hence, Malaysia also upholds its commitment at the Rio Summit 1992 to retain at least 50% of the land area under forest cover.

5. Therefore, YB Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong gave the EU Ambassador Delegations the assurance that Malaysian Palm Oil is not only safe and healthy, but also being cultivated with good agricultural practices (GAP).

6. In his closing remarks, YB Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong concluded that the palm oil industry in Malaysia has contributed enormously towards socio economic development of the country and hopes that the EU Countries will continue to support Malaysia's efforts in getting Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification greater recognition.

7. This industry is also an important source of export earnings where in 2016 total exports was valued at RM64.58 billion. Currently, the palm oil industry in Malaysia provides employment opportunities to close to one million people covering both the upstream and downstream sectors.

8. The EU is an important export destination for Malaysian palm oil products. In 2016, Malaysia's export of palm oil and palm-based products to EU was recorded at 3.63 million tonnes valued at RM10.30 billion. Among the major products exported include palm oil, palm kernel cake and oleochemicals.

Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities

20 January 2017

*List of EU Delegates is attached below

Below are the list of EU Ambassadors who participated;

No Mission Name

1. AUSTRIA H.E. Christophe Ceska

2. BELGIUM H.E. Daniel Dargent

3. CROATIA H.E. Kreso Glavac

4. CZECH REPUBLIC H.E. Rudolf Hykl

5. EU H.E. Maria Castillo Fernandez

6. EU Mr Nicolas Dross

7. FINLAND H.E. Petri Puhakka

8. FRANCE Mrs. Florence Mayol-Dupont - CDA

9. GERMANY H.E. Holger Michael

10. HUNGARY H.E. Attila Káli

11. ITALY Mrs. Silvia Marrara - DHOM

12. NETHERLANDS H.E. Karin Mössenlechner

13. POLAND Mr. M. Blachowicz , First Counsellor

14. ROMANIA H.E. Constantin Volodea Nistor

15. SWEDEN H.E. Dag Anders Matta Juhlin