African Embassies in Brussels meet with AGRINFO to strengthen dialogue on EU regulatory developments

The COLEAD AGRINFO programme organised an in-person session in Brussels on Wednesday 22 April with representatives from the Embassies in Belgium of French speaking African countries. This followed similar events with embassies from Latin America, ASEAN and English-speaking African countries, with the aim of strengthening the flow of information to EU partner countries.

Hosted by the African Union, the meeting was attended by representatives from Benin, Burundi, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Lebanon, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia.

The session provided an overview of key European Union legislative developments affecting agrifood and fish exports. The first part focused on EU food safety rules including a proposed new approach to pesticide maximum residue levels (MRLs), new provisions on contaminants — particularly mineral oil hydrocarbons — reinforced import controls, and the regulation of antimicrobial use in livestock, including aquaculture and apiculture.

The second part addressed major EU sustainability initiatives notably the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), as well as upcoming new rules on packaging.

Participants welcomed the quality and relevance of the information shared, with particular interest in topics such as MRLs, mineral oil hydrocarbons and the EUDR. Several requests were made for more in-depth thematic sessions and country-specific webinars — formats that the AGRINFO programme regularly offers upon request from national stakeholders.

This activity is supported by the AGRINFO programme, implemented by COLEAD and funded by the European Union (EU). This publication receives financial support from the European Union. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.