The EU and Malaysia started bilateral free trade negotiations last year and they hope to conclude these negotiations at the end of 2012. This agreement would be a perfect opportunity to support the production of and trade in sustainable palm oil by offering RSPO certified oil originating in Malaysia duty free EU market access. Bleker has vowed that he will inform Members of Parliament on the latest developments in Spring 2012.

Bleker has furthermore informed Members of Parliament on the new labelling rules for oils and fats. These new rules that were published on 21 November this year, indicate that oils and fats have to be labelled individually. Operators will be allowed to group them together in the list of ingredients under the designation 'vegetable oils' but they have to be followed immediately by a list of indications of the specific vegetable origins. The phrase in varying proportions may be added. (E.g.: Vegetable oils (rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, palm oil, in varying proportions)). The new rules have entered into force on 13 December this year. There is a transition time of three years up to 13 December 2014. As of this date all products have to comply with the new legislation. In the meantime the existing or the new rules may both be applied.

The information was given in a letter that also included information on the spendings of the Dutch government on sustainable palm oil.