Trade Minister’s Approach to Fight Against Negative Campaign on Palm Oil

TRADE Minister Enggartiasto Lukita reaffirmed that government has been prepared to keep fighting on negative campaign on palm oil by European Union. In his perspective, at least there are two ways that can be taken, such as diplomacy and restrict European Union products to enter Indonesia. “We have done that before. Some time ago, Norway had refused Indonesian palm oil products, then we responded by threatening to stop importing salmon from the country. Finally, Norwegian Ambassador met me and now our palm oil products can be exported to the country. It also would applied to other countries. We will definitely fight,” said Enggar in Medan (5/7/2018), as quoted by Okezone. According to him, European Union allegation on Indonesia palm oil could damage the environment is an improper claim. Indonesia has been confirm about it and European Union started to accept it. As we can see from delay on palm oil-based biofuel banning until 2030 by European Union. “We will keep fighting, if deforestation as the main reason, what’s the difference with other vegetable oils production like sunflower, rapeseed? those commodities were also produced massively,” said Enggar.