ID :
190986
Sat, 06/25/2011 - 08:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/190986
The shortlink copeid
PALM OIL LABELLING BILL: M'SIA EXPRESSES 'GRAVE CONCERN'
KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has expressed "grave concern" on
the passing of the Food Standard Amendment (Truth in Labelling - Palm Oil) Bill
2010 by the Australian Senate Thursday.
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 labeling 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 Bernard Dompok in a statement
Friday.
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-overnmental 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
the passing of the Food Standard Amendment (Truth in Labelling - Palm Oil) Bill
2010 by the Australian Senate Thursday.
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 labeling 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 Bernard Dompok in a statement
Friday.
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-overnmental 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
