Executive Order 166 would hurt Liberian smallholder farmers
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Front Page Africa
Small Liberian rubber producers say Executive Order 166 puts them at a disadvantage to larger operators and concessionaires. The House Agriculture Committee is holding roundtables to examine the measure and make a recommendation to the president, according to Front Page Africa.
Liberia’s House of Representatives has suspended a hearing on Executive Order 166 after several stakeholders were absent, including representatives of major concession companies, regulatory authorities and the Ministry of Agriculture. The Agriculture Committee is to set a new date, according to Front Page Africa.
Charles Bamakpeh, Chief Executive Officer of Meawon Liberia Incorporated and a rubber planter, welcomed the House’s intervention and called on lawmakers to speed up their work. He believes discussions between the various stakeholders could lead to a recommendation to the president to reverse the order.
Smallholder rubber farmers across Liberia are challenging Executive Order 166, which they accuse of putting them at a disadvantage compared with larger operators and concessionaires. The parliamentary committee said it wanted to bring together all the parties concerned to verify the facts and ensure a transparent process, according to Front Page Africa.
