Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is on the right track to be classified as a low-risk country in palm oil production, particularly with its mandatory Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification, said Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. He highlighted efforts to compile the latest data on palm oil production to gain recognition from the European Union (EU) under its sustainability agenda.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, a significant step in this process is the submission of accurate data. Previously, the plantation sector was overseen by a different ministry than the one responsible for providing forestry data to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Johari emphasized the importance of moving in the right direction towards achieving the low-risk classification.
Johari made these remarks after accompanying European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Rosswall, on her visit to Kampung Sungai Judah and SD Guthrie Palm Oil Excellence Centre in Carey Island. He noted that the MSPO certification, mandatory since 2020, plays a crucial role in potentially shifting Malaysia’s commodity classifications.
The MSPO certification includes a national traceability system to monitor palm oil movement from plantations to mills and refineries. Johari stated that by accounting for every product produced in Malaysia, the country can demonstrate its sustainability practices, traceability system effectiveness, and ensure that none of its products originate from deforested land. He expressed confidence in achieving the low-risk classification in due time.
Currently, Malaysia is classified as ‘standard risk’ under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which mandates exporters of cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soybean, cattle, rubber, and timber to ensure their products are deforestation-free and legally sourced.
During the visit, Rosswall toured the Palm Oil Experience Centre Sustainability Gallery, where she was briefed on the national traceability system, Malaysia’s forest governance, and efforts to enhance transparency in the palm oil supply chain. Earlier, in Kampung Sungai Judah, she learned about regenerative farming, good agricultural practices, sustainable harvesting methods, and empowering indigenous people through palm oil-related economic activities.