"Until now, the US has not yet fully stopped CPO exported by Indonesia. It`s more like a warning, and they want to see Indonesia`s response," Rusman added.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The agriculture ministry is currently preparing a letter to the United States to respond to the US Environmental Protection Agency`s (EPA) notification that rejects Indonesian CPO exports as of January 28, 2012.
"On March 2, 2012, the government will invite all concerned parties concerning the EPA`s notification. And it`s expected that the letter would be sent to the US on March 10, 2012," Deputy Agriculture Minister Rusman Heriawan said here, Wednesday.
The government hopes to address the problems concerning the EPA`s CPO ruling, and to make a final decision on the dispatch of the letter.
"Until now, the US has not yet fully stopped CPO exported by Indonesia. It`s more like a warning, and they want to see Indonesia`s response," Rusman added.
Concerning the decision to close Tanjung Priok harbor as a gate for fruit and vegetable imports, Rusman said it has nothing to do with the EPA`s CPO policy, and the US government must not link it because it is a separate issue.
Beginning January 28, the US officially rejects CPO and its derivative products coming from Indonesia because the US deems it as environmental-unfriendly.
"I have received the notification. We have been given until February 27 to dispute it. We ask other concerned parties to also oppose the ruling," Deputy Trade Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi said in Indramayu, West Java, last January. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
