THE European Union (EU) needs to adopt a more open attitude over the bloc’s restrictions on the entry of certain commodities, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said. 

Fadilah, who is also plantation and commodities minister, said this is because Malaysia and the EU have the same commitment to ensuring aspects of sustainability are taken into account in production pipelines.

“Our commitment and theirs is the same but maybe our approaches are different. 

“(We hope) the EU can review its regulations so it takes into account the views of other countries (commodity producers) such as our country, Indonesia and Thailand,” he said after attending the World Cancer Day programme in Petra Jaya today.

Fadillah said the restrictions are a form of discrimination the EU may have to implement to protect its own commodities.

He said sustainability requirements have been implemented in Malaysia, and this effort will continue to be improved.

“We expect what we have implemented to be adopted and recognised by the EU. That’s what we want to say to them,” he said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for the European Union Deforestation Regulation to be reviewed because it poses challenges to the palm oil industry.

During a joint press conference with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is here on a visit, Anwar said Malaysia is facing difficulty in the series of negotiations with the EU to discuss the matter. – Bernama, February 18, 2023.