AFP, JAKARTAIndonesia has filed a WTO lawsuit against the EU over plans to phase out palm oil-based biofuel for vehicles, the Indonesian Ministry of Trade said on Sunday. The action could escalate a trade dispute between Indonesia — the world’s top palm oil producer — and the EU, which plans to end its use of biofuels by 2030, citing concerns over widespread deforestation caused by the sector. In response to what it called “discriminative” policies against its key palm oil exports, Indonesia said it last week filed a complaint with the WTO. Neighboring Malaysia, the world’s second-biggest palm oil producer, has also threatened WTO action against the EU. Palm oil is the world’s most widely used vegetable oil and a key ingredient in a wide range of products from food to cosmetics.
