TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following the issuance of a European Union Resolution banning oil-palm biodiesel, Indonesian Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman argued that the resolution would cause crude palm oil (CPO) prices to plummet, which in turn would have impacts on 30 million people working in the palm oil sector.
As a result, according to Amran, farmers will be forced to find new sources of income by opening lands in forests, which could cause environmental issues.
"Who could stop 30 million [people] from mobilizing?" Amran said on Monday, April 10, 2017.
Amran also called on foreign countries not to interfere with Indonesia's domestic affairs.
"Do not interfere with our domestic agriculture affairs. We love peace. Please don't disturb us,” Amran stated.
Amran also mentioned that Indonesia has its own standards on crude palm oil (CPO) set out in a plan called the Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPP).
"We have our own standards. Every country should stick with their own business," Amran added.
Earlier on Friday, April 7, 2017, the EU parliament issued a resolution on CPO aiming at reducing the usage of fatty acid methyl ester in biofuel by 2020. The resolution also sets minimum criteria for CPO-based products. As many as 640 EU parliament members approved the resolution and only 18 expressed an objection.
DIKO OKTARA