KUALA LUMPUR: The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) will conduct a specific scientific study to counter baseless claims and negative perceptions against palm oil.
Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who leads the Malaysian delegation to Jakarta for the CPOPC Ministerial meeting, said that the study will also highlight the benefits of palm oil to the world.
He said the study would also emphasise the importance of CPOPC's role as an international organisation capable of addressing negative perceptions and baseless allegations against palm oil.
This commitment is in line with Johari, who is set to become the chairman of CPOPC, starting Jan 1.
"We also propose that CPOPC focus on efforts to enhance its credibility. This can be achieved by supporting the involvement of observer countries like Colombia, Ghana and Papua New Guinea as full members and expanding the membership of the organisation," he said in a statement today.
The CPOPC meeting was chaired by Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto.
At the meeting, CPOPC also welcomed Congo and Nigeria as observer countries, with the goal of becoming full members within two years.
CPOPC is an international organisation made up of palm oil-producing countries.
Among the CPOPC members are Malaysia, Indonesia and Honduras, while Ghana, Papua New Guinea and Colombia are observer countries.
Previously, the country's palm oil industry faced issues of discrimination by the European Union.
Johari added the discussions during the meeting also involved the importance of palm oil-producing countries uniting to address issues related to sustainability and the environment.
He said it also included complying with the EU's recognition of palm oil purchases from Indonesia and Malaysia, the world's top producers of the commodity.
"This meeting was handled well and we want to ensure that the next steps are focused on countering negative propaganda against palm oil.
"I also see that Indonesia is committed to increasing palm oil production and continuing its use as a component of biodiesel.
"This will, in turn, increase the demand for palm oil, providing a good price for players in the palm oil industry," he said.