MALAYSIA\'S Minister of International Trade and Industry Mustapa Mohamed has described the European Union\`s (EU) backing of a ban on the use of palm oil in biofuels as a \`potential violation of World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules\`.In a statement issued on Monday (Jan 22), the minister said the move by the EU was a \`deliberate attempt\` to block the access of palm oil into their market and said that Malaysia would raise the issue at WTO committees in March and April this year.The country will also \`intensify collaboration\` with other palm oil producing countries to consider \`more concerted efforts to voice our strong concern\` before committees under the WTO, he added.European lawmakers approved draft measures last Wednesday to reform the power market there and reduce energy consumption, with the plan including a ban on the use of palm oil in motor fuels from 2021.\`I urge the European private sector to be fair and not to be influenced by the vote in the European Parliament and the negative sentiment against our palm oil,\` he added. \`Facts must prevail above unsubstantiated claims in this matter.\` (Source: Channel News Asia)