MPOC: Expert advisors to the UK government conclude that Malaysian palm oil is sustainable

The Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) – an expert advisory group to the UK Government – has concluded in an official report that Malaysian palm oil is sustainable, and that a zero-tariff rate for Malaysian palm oil would be beneficial for United Kingdom.

The Malaysian Palm Oil Council said the expert analysis concluded that the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) standard’s sustainability requirementsnot only meet but exceed the UK legislation’s requirements.

Malaysian Palm Oil Council chief executive officer Belvinder Sron said there are potential benefits to the UK should it export more Malaysian palm oil, because of higher sustainability standards in Malaysia compared with other countries. She urged the UK should move ahead with the planned zero tariff on Malaysian palm oil.

“This new independent expert report demonstrates this reality. MSPO is the gold standard for sustainable palm oil certification, and can provide assurance for both importers, and UK authorities, that all legal requirements are met and no deforestation has taken place”.”Malaysia leads the world in sustainable palm oil certification, and we look forward to supplying more high-quality sustainable palm oil to the UK and other markets,” said Sron.

The TAC provided expert advice to the government on business and trade on the UK’s accession protocol to theComprehensive and Progressive Agreement for a Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Malaysia is one of the founding members of CPTPP.

Sron said it is clear from TAC’ss detailed expert report, that all domestic and international companies supplying the UK market can now have full confidence in MSPO as a genuine verification tool for the UK market.

“The next step should be for formal recognition by the UK Government of MSPO as a tool for compliance with the UK Due Diligence and associated regulations. “As the clear ‘legality standard’ for Malaysian palm oil, it is a ready-made compliance tool and deserves to be formally recognised by the UK government,” she said.

Tags: certification, Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil, sustainable, UK, Malaysia, palm oil, Malaysian Palm Oil Council