EU urged to let NGOs join anti-deforestation talks

A delegation of human rights groups and environmental NGOs are lobbying European Union officials to be included in talks with Malaysia and Indonesia about the implementation of the EU’s anti-deforestation rules.

In June last year, the European Commission, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries jointly announced an agreement to set up a joint task force to enhance dialogue on supply chain traceability and transparency in the production of certain commodities such as palm oil, wood, rubber, coffee and cocoa.