Nationwide tour to improve compliance with international agricommodity rules

Nationwide tour to improve compliance with international agricommodity rules

Ministry says non-compliance with requirements such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation could impact the marketability of local products.

Johari Ghani
Plantation and commodities minister Johari Ghani said the tour will involve industry players, state land offices and government agencies so that they can understand the impact of non-compliance with international standards.
PUTRAJAYA:
The plantation and commodities ministry will embark on a nationwide tour to ensure that every state complies with international standards, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

Its minister, Johari Ghani, said he underscored the importance of adhering to the standards, adding that non-compliance could affect the marketability of local agricommodity products at the international level.

“The ministry will visit each state because land issues in each state differ. Land regulations in Sabah, for instance, are not the same as in Kelantan.

“Therefore, the states have asked the ministry to conduct a tour and engage with their land offices, to improve their understanding (of the standards),” he told reporters after a meeting with state agriculture executive councillors at a hotel in Putrajaya today.

He said the tour, which will be carried out in the near future, will also involve industry players and government agencies so that they better understand the impact of non-compliance with international standards.

“We will do it as soon as possible, with the executive councils acting as coordinators to recommend invitees. We will present information on the EUDR, climate change, and sustainability as, ultimately, this is for the country’s benefit.

“We want our products to command a premium in the future,” he said.

Thirteen state agriculture exco members attended the meeting with Johari, during which they were provided information on environmental sustainability in the agricommodity sector.

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