PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – The subsequent official visit of the European Commission to Indonesia and Malaysia from June 26th to June 28th, 2023, resulted in an agreement among Indonesia, Malaysia, and the European Union to establish an Ad Hoc Joint Task Force (JTF) specifically focused on addressing the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The inaugural meeting of the Ad Hoc JTF took place on August 4th, 2023, in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Leading the Ad Hoc JTF are Musdhalifah Machmud, Deputy Coordinator Minister in Food and Agribusiness Coordination, and Coordinator Ministry in Economy Indonesia; YBhg. Dato’ Mad Zaidi bin Mohd Karli, General Secretary of the Ministry of Plantation and Commodity Malaysia; and Astrid Schomaker, Director of Green Diplomacy and Multilateralism at the European Commission.
The meeting was facilitated by Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) and attended by the representatives and stakeholders that would obey EUDR.
Also Read : The Smallholders Fates are In EUDR
Musdhalifah Machmud said that the meeting was about to get the same understanding and perception. While Dato’ Mad Zaidi bin Mohd Karli emphasized that the cooperation would be the future solution that best practices among sectors would inspire.
Astrid Schomaker recognized the progress in Indonesia and Malaysia to minimize deforestation and welcome every further information and clarification in EUDR.
As in the official statement to Palmoilmagazine.com recently, the meeting also came to a conclusion that the frame work of JTF Ad Hoc would cover some issues, such as, smallholders’ inclusivity on supply chain, relevant certification scheme in national scale (area legal and time limit of deforestation), traceability from producers to end consumers, scientific data about deforestation, forest degradation, and data protection. JTF Ad Hoc would accomplish its duty by the late of 2024 and could be extended according to the same agreement. The meeting also shared information about the implementation of Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO), Malaysia Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) and available traceability tools. (T2)