Leak Signals EU Dismissal of Green Propaganda Says NGO World Growth

Palmoil can be used for many purposes and is an suitable feedstock for biodiesel

09-02-10

Official documents leaked to the public last week show the European Commission has rejected calls by environmental NGOs not to treat palm oil plantations like any other single species forest. Research shows palm oil is the most efficient vegetable oil for biofuel. This is a welcome first step towards making the EU’s 2009 Renewable Energy Directive an effective measure to encourage consumption of renewable energy in the EU. Alan Oxley -- Chairman of the pro-development NGO World Growth -- released the following statement:

“World Growth commends the European Commission for rejecting Green propaganda about palm oil and moving to correctly define palm oil plantations as ‘continuously forested areas.’ It turned down a demand by environmentalists to prohibit biodiesel derived from oil palm by regulating that palm oil was not a plantation forest. This was just another ploy to deny motorists and transport operators in Europe the opportunity to use palm oil, the world’s most efficient biodiesel, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Europe.

“It’s good to see the Commission reject claims by Friends of the Earth and WWF that palm oil is a leading cause of deforestation. A growing body of research reconfirms that poverty, not palm oil or other plantation commodities, is the major cause of deforestation. It shows that two-thirds of forest is cleared by impoverished people in search of shelter and food.
 
 “World Growth encourages the Commission to continue to make the renewable energy strategy workable. The Directive adopted by the European Parliament still restricts entry into Europe of sustainable and carbon-friendly biofuels. These biofuels not only reduce Europe’s carbon footprint, they reduce poverty in developing countries. The measure is also unlikely to survive challenge in the WTO unless it is modified.

“Last week’s leaked government documents validate research released by World Growth over the past year. Take one example. Palm oil uses a mere one-tenth of the land and just a third of the energy (eg fertilizer) required by European vegetable oils crops to produce the same quantity of oil. It is also effective at absorbing CO2 and has a wonderful record at reducing poverty.

“It’s encouraging to see the European Commission heading in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go.”

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Category: Vegetable oil, European Community, Biodiesel