MEPs to Vote on Sustainable Palm Oil Report

03 Apr 2017 --- MEPs will debate a report calling on the European Commission to take measures to phase out palm oil in biofuels and a single certification scheme for the commodity to enter the EU market, later today (April 3), ahead of a vote scheduled for tomorrow. 

Palm oil is extensively used in food, cosmetics and biofuels, however the unsustainable production of the cheap vegetable oil leads to deforestation, loss of nature habitats and greenhouse gas emissions and European politicians have been looking at the issue for some months now. 

The report, to be discussed during a plenary session today, was put forward by Czech GUE member Katerina Konecná and it calls on the EU to strengthen environmental measures to prevent palm oil-related deforestation, and phase out by 2020 use of palm oil as a component of biodiesel. Products should also be able to be certified for the socially responsible origin of their palm oil, she says. 

Over the last three decades the palm oil industry has grown substantially and palm oil is a common ingredient in food like margarine, chocolate spread and crisps as well as being used in cosmetics, detergent and biofuel. 

Recent months has seen many international stories about the sustainability of the palm oil industry and FoodIngredientsFirst has been following this issue closely and published a special report on the topic last month. 

The production of palm oil can lead to deforestation as jungle is removed to be replaced by palm plantations which in turns impacts tropical ecosystems, which cover 7% of the Earth’s surface and are under increasing pressure from deforestation, resulting in for example forest fires, the drying up of rivers, soil erosion, loss of groundwater, pollution of waterways and destruction of rare natural habitats.

In addition the loss of natural habitats in the form of rainforests endangers the survival of a large number of species such as the Sumatran rhinoceros, the Sumatran tiger and the Bornean orangutan.

“EU is the second biggest palm oil consumer in the world. Although it is trying to become the most important player regarding how to limit its consumption,” says Konecná.

Members have already advocated for a phase-out of the use in biofuels of vegetable oils by 2020, and a single certification scheme for palm oil entering the EU market.

The text was adopted with 56 votes to 1 during a previous session in March.