The bloc enacted a law this year to phase out palm oil from renewable fuel by 2030 because of the commodity’s links to deforestation. It is also discussing increasing regulations on food – the palm oil industry’s main source of revenue. Malaysia, the second biggest producer of palm oil, this year launched a global public relations and lobbying effort to boost the image of palm oil, especially in Europe, Reuters reported. Indonesia and Malaysia have been increasing biodiesel usage domestically to boost consumption of palm oil. Malaysia increased the proportion of palm oil used in biodiesel to 10 per cent from 7 per cent last December, and aims to implement a ‘B20’ programme with 20 per cent palm oil content next year.

Source: New Strait Times November 19, 2019 14:26 UTC