-Amends Executive Order #124
By Jerromie S. Walters
In an effort to protect the rubber industry and provide relief to local producers affected by the ban on the exportation of unprocessed natural rubber, the Government of Liberia has extended the moratorium for a period of two months.
This decision comes following the AMENDING of EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 124- MORATORIUM ON THE EXPORTATION OF UNPROCESSED NATURAL RUBBER by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. The amendment says: “NOW, THEREFORE, I, Joseph Nyuma Boakal, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, with the power in me vested, do hereby issue this Executive Order, as follows: 1 That the time period stated in Executive Order No. 124 for the imposition of a moratorium on the export of unprocessed natural rubber be extended for a period of two months (or sixty days), with effect from the date of the issuance of this Executive Order No. 133, to allow Liberian Rubber Farmers with unprocessed natural rubber, already prepared for the export market prior to the issuance of Executive Order No. 124, to export all such unprocessed natural rubber.”
Accordingly, Executive Order No. 124 is amended to reflect the time extension granted. “That for the sixty days’ period stated herein all customs officers and law enforcement authorities at points of entry and exit into and from the Republic of! Liberia shall allow the exportation of all consignments of unprocessed natural rubber from the Republic of Liberia by Liberian Rubber Farmers.”
It continues, “That immediately after the two months, the moratorium stipulated in Executive Order No. 124 shall again trigger in and all export of unprocessed natural rubber shall be halted from the date of expiration of the sixty days’ period granted by this Executive Order. This Executive Order shall take immediate effect.”
On November 23, 2023, Executive Order No. 124 was issued by former President George Weah, placing a temporary ban on the export of unprocessed natural rubber. The initial moratorium was put in place to allow for the development of policies and frameworks aimed at revitalizing the rubber industry in the long term.
However, the abrupt nature of the ban resulted in unexpected losses for local producers and businesses who had already prepared shipments for export. Furthermore, rural rubber producers who rely on cross-border trade were forced to sell their unprocessed natural rubber locally at lower prices, leading to financial losses.
“WHEREAS, stakeholders in the Rubber Sector have agreed to develop a competitive fair pricing mechanism to govern the sale of unprocessed natural rubber; WHEREAS, the Liberian rubber farmers have appealed to the Government to allow them to sell their products which were already ready for the market before the issuance of Executive Order No. 124.”
In response to these challenges, stakeholders in the Rubber Sector have agreed to establish a competitive fair pricing mechanism for the sale of unprocessed natural rubber.Recognizing the plight of rubber farmers and businesses affected by the ban, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has issued Executive Order No. 133, amending Executive Order No. 124.
The amended order allows Liberian Rubber Farmers with unprocessed natural rubber, already prepared for export before the issuance of Executive Order No. 124, to export their products within the two-month period.
“WHEREAS, the Government, in consideration of the interest of its people, has decided that it is good policy to allow reprieve to the farmers and businesses affected by the short notice given in Executive Order No. 124, and to assist those rubber farmers affected by the ban, has determined to take appropriate measures to enable the rubber farmers to sell their rubber products within a specified time.”
During this time, customs officers and law enforcement authorities at points of entry and exit in Liberia will facilitate the exportation of all consignments of unprocessed natural rubber. However, once the two-month period expires, the moratorium on the export of unprocessed natural rubber will be reinstated.
The Government says its decision to extend the moratorium aims to provide relief to affected farmers and businesses while ensuring the sustainability of the rubber industry in Liberia. This Executive Order is set to take immediate effect, offering a temporary reprieve to those impacted by the ban on the exportation of unprocessed natural rubber.
