TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Indonesia up in arms over EU's negative campaign against palm oil
Change Size
Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
T
rade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita has called on palm oil stakeholders to join hands to fight the European Union’s negative campaign against palm oil-based products at a conference in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Friday.
In response to the EU campaign, Indonesia would take strong action by disrupting import commodities from Europe, such as milk powder, he added.
“If the EU disrupts palm oil production, we will disrupt milk powder imports,” he told reporters on the sidelines of 13th Indonesian Palm Oil Conference (IPOC).
Read also: Govt vows to help boost palm oil industry competitivenessEnggar also threatened to stop palm oil exports to Europe for a month, if the EU keeps putting pressure on Indonesia.
He said the EU’s negative campaign against palm oil products, based on environmental issues and health concerns, was unfair and baseless.
Oil palm plantations in Indonesia have been strictly controlled through sustainable practices and the consumption of palm oil has also been proven to be healthy, Enggar added.
Palm oil is a crucial commodity for Indonesia as it accounts for 12.5 percent of the country’s total export earnings of US$18 billion last year. From January to August this year, it reached $15 billion. (bbn)
