KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) will petition against the European Union’s (EU) discriminating palm oil and this peaceful protest will take place here on January 16.
When contacted by NST Business, a spokesperson confirmed Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad will be having a closed door meet-and-greet session with the agency's staff and settlers here this afternoon.
"It's the start of the year and the usual monthly meeting where our chairman shares his thoughts and gather feedback from all concerned," said the spokesperson.
Last year, the EU Parliament passed two resolutions to unjustly impose a single certified sustainable palm oil scheme for palm oil after 2020 and phase out palm oil from the EU biofuel programme by 2020.
The EU resolutions were passed on biased claims that palm oil producers had allegedly failed to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which includes responsible consumption, production and climate action.
There are more than 650,000 smallholders cultivating some 40 per cent of Malaysia’s 5.8 million ha oil palm area. Small farmers are integral in contributing to the nation’s RM75 billion palm oil exports.
Felda, which takes care of the largest population of oil palm smallholders in Malaysia, has repeatedly condemned the EU’s discriminatory policy to curb and eventually ban palm oil from entering its market.
Felda is collecting signatures from about 100,000 settlers for the petition to be sent to the 27 EU representatives in Kuala Lumpur.
“Our chairman has announced the petition against the EU defaming and discriminating palm oil, will take place, in Kuala Lumpur, on January 16,” added the spokesperson.