Saturday, July 16, 2011
Palm oil labelling bill: Malaysia expresses ‘grave concern
Posted on June 25, 2011, Saturday
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has expressed “grave concern” on the passing of the Food Standard Amendment (Truth in Labelling – Palm Oil) Bill 2010 by the Australian Senate yesterday.
The Bill seeks to mandate the labelling of palm oil for the stated purpose of ensuring “that consumers are provided with clear, accurate information about the inclusion of palm oil in foods”.
It also seeks to encourage “the use of certified sustainable palm oil in order to promote the protection of wildlife habitat”.
“In this context, Malaysia is of the view that labelling palm oil purely from the perspective of sustainable production is discriminatory.
“In addition, competing vegetable oils are not required to be labeled,” said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok in a statement yesterday.
He said that in April, representatives from the Malaysian government and the industry had presented testimony before the Senate Community Affairs Legislative Committee to correct the mischaracterisations made by environmental non-governmental organisations in support of the legislation.
“It is clearly evident that facts and figures provided to the Senate Community Affairs Legislative Committee have been clearly ignored,” Dompok said.
“It is with great regret and disappointment that the Australian Senate has not accorded the due attention contributed by the oil palm industry in Malaysia and the sustainable practices adopted,” he said.
The oil palm industry which employs more than 570,000 people in the upstream sector and a further 290,000 in downstream industries, is an important pillar in Malaysia’s economy and has contributed substantively towards addressing rural poverty and generating employment.
In addition, the industry has contributed immensely towards meeting global demand for food products and a source of renewable energy which is environmentally friendly.
Dompok also said: “The legislation undermines the spirit of cooperation as neighbours.
“The Australian government should demonstrate its commitment to bilateral relations, including ensuring that legislations are supported by facts and figures.” — Bernama
Sunday, July 10, 2011
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