EU Policy Supports Palm Farmers to be Legally Recognized

European Union (EU) is discussing a policy to supports palm farmers to be legally recognized. The Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) held a meeting with the European Commission’s Department of Environment and International Partnerships. The meeting, which was held in Brussels, provided a response to the proposal for EU regulations regarding deforestation-free products. This proposal was put forward by the European Commission to ensure that products imported into the EU market come from legal sources and do not cause deforestation.

Reported by infosawit.com, Head of Advocacy for the Palm Oil Farmers Union (SPKS), Marselinus Andri said, SPKS appreciated the European Union regulations draft that was proposed by the European Union Commission. In his opinion, if the European Union regulation draft is implemented, it will become an important part for oil palm farmers in Indonesia. Especially for independent smallholders such as SPKS.

Andri also said that this regulation draft would help independent smallholders to be legally recognized in the supply chain. This recognition is supported by the existence of traceability requirements.

SPKS strongly supports the EU parliament’s amendment on partnerships with producer countries to address the challenges faced by smallholder farmers. Starting from technical support, financial support for geolocation, and support for farmer compliance, including through investment, capacity building and pricing mechanisms.

“This should be stated in a roadmap that will be implemented through partnerships between buyers, producers and smallholders, overseen by the EU. This aims to guarantee market access for small farmers, support small farmers, sustainable practices, and forest conservation initiatives,” Andri said in an official statement (1/11/2022).

According to Andri, in addition to forming a road map, the European Union must assist oil palm smallholders in Indonesia by developing a concrete support mechanism. This regulation will also apply to six commodities and derivative products. Such as wood (including paper), palm oil, soybeans, coffee, cocoa beans, and beef.