REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, 

JAKARTA – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) objects to the boycott of Indonesian Crude Palm Oil (CPO) products and its derivatives conducted by several countries due to environmental preservation. SBY considers it as unfair measure for Indonesia.

SBY spoke before the 128 foreign ambassadors to Indonesia in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Wednesday (15/2). “We live in global arena. Thus, it should be fair,” he said.

SBY reminds that the ban of palm oil plantation to a country while it is potential to boost its economy is not a good option. He emphasizes, Indonesia is a developing country needing palm as the source income to ease poverty.

Indonesia agrees palm oil plantation will not damage the environment. However, it does not mean that the boycott is the right measure. “I agree that in the future Indonesia will be more effective in controlling the palm oil plantation. I agree 200 percent not to damage the environment,” he added.

According to SBY, Indonesia seriously maintains the environment. Moreover, the world and Indonesia itself have interest to Indonesian forest as the world’s lungs.

Several civil society organizations (CSO) often campaign the boycott of Indonesian CPO due to environmental damage. European Union has also disputed Indonesian CPO. And in January 28, the US bans Indonesian CPO for similar reason.

Yet, the Counselor of Agricultural Affairs in US Ambassador to Indonesia, Dennis Voboril, denies the ban. He says the ban issued January 27 was not final. It is still on the first stage of three before it is signed into law. The US still studies Indonesian CPO products.

At the first stage, US issues environment protection energy (EPA) policy related to the reduction of greenhouse effect. EPA notification states the bio fuel of Indonesian oil palm has not yet met the standard.

At the second stage, EPA, from notice of data availability (Noda), will be published to public and certain countries. US has prolonged the period until March 28 so that Indonesia can give input. The third is that the input from Noda EPA will become a permanent decision. Then, Indonesian CPO products will be known whether it is standard or not.

The Head of Indonesian Palm Oil Commission (KMSI), Rosediana Soeharto, said, Indonesia disproved the Noda EPA result. Indonesian oil palm biodiesel can reduce the greenhouse effect up to 62 percent, almost three times than EPA standard.  

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