In its annual statement issued on October 12, the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC)reaffirmed its commitment to supporting all initiatives that promote sustainability and the fair, transparent, and responsible protection of natural resources—provided such measures do not create unnecessary trade barriers or harm local communities.
Rubber Plantations and Sustainable Development
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ANRPC emphasized the crucial role of natural rubber (NR) as an essential raw material used in a wide range of products that contribute to the economic, social, and environmental well-being of all stakeholders, including smallholders, local communities, and the global market.
Natural rubber production, particularly among smallholder farmers, aligns closely with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—notably those addressing no poverty, zero hunger, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, industry innovation, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and life on land.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), rubber plantations represent a unique form of forest ecosystem that blends commercial and ecological benefits. They contribute to biodiversity conservation, support rural livelihoods, and promote sustainable land use—all in line with broader sustainability objectives.
ANRPC’s Sustainable Rubber Program
ANRPC member countries are currently implementing Sustainable Natural Rubber (SNR) initiatives and developing comprehensive guidelines for sustainability in the sector. In parallel, the organization is strengthening partnerships with global stakeholders to share best practices and foster capacity-building among producers.
However, ANRPC expressed concern that most smallholder rubber farmers have suffered from low NR prices for over a decade—often below production cost—while also facing challenges such as crop diseases and climate change. The introduction of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) poses a new threat, as smallholders will need to comply with complex administrative procedures, including due diligence and risk assessment requirements.
Concerns Over EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
ANRPC warned that the EUDR could create unnecessary trade barriers, disrupting the global natural rubber supply chain and disproportionately affecting smallholder producers. The association stressed that trade policies should align with the multilateral trading system led by the World Trade Organization (WTO), and should be fair, transparent, non-discriminatory, and mutually supportive of environmental goals.
Trade and environmental policies, ANRPC emphasized, must go beyond industry-level engagement and prioritize farmers—key stakeholders in the sustainability ecosystem.
A Call for Dialogue and Inclusion
The association called on the European Union to re-examine the role of the natural rubber sector, recognizing its indispensable contribution to sustainable development. By acknowledging rubber as a forest crop, the EU could facilitate regulations that ensure a stable supply of natural rubber while maintaining balance across economic, social, and environmental pillars of the SDGs.
“We urge the EU to develop practical measures that ensure smallholder participation in the global supply chain, consistent with the UN’s ‘leave no one behind’ principle,” ANRPC stated.
“We seek genuine and constructive dialogue with EU authorities to address the concerns of our member countries regarding the EUDR. ANRPC members reaffirm their commitment to collective cooperation and to achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”