Focus on EU regulatory developments for fruit and vegetables: what ACP countries need to know
- 10/06/2025
- Posted by: Christelle Bento
- Category: ACP EN, Corp EN, Headline, News
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COLEAD’s Regulations and Standards Department recently hosted a briefing on Thursday 24 April on recent regulatory changes in the European Union that may affect the export of fruit, vegetables and flowers from ACP countries. An important tool for anticipating future challenges Covering the period January-March 2025, the Digest summarises new EU regulations and policy updates that are likely to affect the agri-food value chain. It is a valuable resource for all stakeholders involved in supporting the ACP horticultural sector, particularly… +Kenya: advancing solutions for minor crops – PPP Registration, MRL compliance, and Integrated Pest Management
- 10/06/2025
- Posted by: Christelle Bento
- Category: ACP EN, Corp EN, Headline, News
In April 2025, COLEAD organised a workshop in Nairobi for the Minor Crops Technical Working Group (MCTWG), which is coordinated by the Kenyan National Horticulture Standing Committee (NHSC). The group brings together competent authorities, the crop protection industry, producer organisations, and business membership organisations to facilitate the registration of plant protection products (PPPs) for minor crops, thereby enhancing their availability. Tangible progress in PPP registration With support from CABI, the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) presented the group’s progress… +Join the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) in Montego Bay, Jamaica, from 29 to 31 July 2025!
- 10/06/2025
- Posted by: Christelle Bento
- Category: ACP EN, Corp EN, Headline, News
This year’s Forum represents a unique opportunity for businesses committed to sustainable transition. Organised in collaboration with the European Union and the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA), this flagship event aims to stimulate investment in the sectors that will shape the future of the Caribbean economy and beyond. Official website: caribbeaninvestmentforum.com An initiative supported by the European Union and COLEAD. As a strategic partner for sustainable development in the region, the European Union is coordinating the organisation of this… +COLEAD highlights young agripreneurs and their contribution to a sustainable world
- 12/08/2023
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: ACP EN, Corp EN, News
The 2023 International Youth Day highlighted the importance to young people of “green skills”, which include “the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to live, develop and sustain a sustainable and resource-efficient society”. Young agricultural leaders and entrepreneurs are key players in achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as they contribute to food security and safety, create jobs and improve livelihoods through responsible engagement in their farms and businesses. They are also leading the transition to a digital… +Change of MRLs from the CODEX ALIMENTARIUS
- 20/07/2023
- Posted by: Gaetan Dermien
- Category: ACP EN
A review of key Codex MRL changes in 2022-2023 Every year, the use of many plant protection products is affected by changes to permitted Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). In July 2022, MRLs were changed for 476 combinations of active substances/commodities and recently published in the report of the 53rd session of the CODEX committee on pesticide residues. These changes often have a direct impact on producers who may need to change production methods (Good Agricultural Practices – GAP) in order… +World Youth Skills Day: the Caribbean ecosystem supporting youth entrepreneurship
- 15/07/2023
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: ACP EN, Corp EN
World Youth Skills Day focuses on the strategic importance of equipping youth with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. Youth play a central role in the agricultural value chain, however youth-specific support systems must be in place to enable their success. This calls on an entrepreneurial ecosystem that attracts young entrepreneurs and understands their needs. To continue this discussion, the IICA-COLEAD Caribbean Agrifood Business series held its ninth session focusing on Successes from innovative youth-led businesses/SMEs in the agrifood… +2022 COLEAD Annual Report: “Agricultural production and trade play a crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals”
- 13/07/2023
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: ACP EN, Corp EN
2022 has been a year of transformation for our association: new name, new statutory purpose, and the launch of new programmes which expanded the sectoral and geographical scope of the association’s activities. The process of changing our organisation’s name was initiated two years ago in a context of continuous evolution of COLEAD’s scope of action and that of its partners. The choice of COLEAD – Committee Linking Entrepreneurship-Agriculture-Development is the result of a participatory and iterative approach carried out with… +Supporting EU partner countries meet the Green Deal’s ambitions
- 13/07/2023
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: ACP EN, Corp EN
From 12th to 14th June, the European Commission (EC) organized a seminar on the theme “Trade, Private Sector, Development & Engagement.” The event took place online and in Brussels and was intended by representatives from European Union delegations. On this occasion, DG INTPA form the EC invited COLEAD to produce a short video that was broadcasted on the third and final day of the seminar. The objective of the video was to illustrate the session “How to make the Green… +COLEAD “Market Insights” webinar series, let’s get started!
- 13/07/2023
- Posted by: Emmanuel Bourcelet
- Category: ACP EN, Corp EN
COLEAD’s “Market Insights” department launched a series of specific webinars on June 27th 2023, aimed at informing partner beneficiaries about market trends. The first workshop (in English) focused on the organic fruit and vegetables market in the EU. Below you can find links to the recording and slides: Recording Slides Full study Save the date for the next (English speaking) webinars ! Wed, October 18th, 2023, 15:00 CEST: “Key factors for launching a successful mango processing business” (English)– Register here… +FFM+ Programme: over 700 requests for support received in one year – 58% from MSMEs
- 13/07/2023
- Posted by: Emmanuel Bourcelet
- Category: ACP EN, Corp EN
Fit For Market+ (FFM+) provides support to the horticultural sector in member countries of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). Its aim is to maintain and enhance the capacity of smallholders, farmer groups, and horticultural MSMEs to access national, regional, and international markets through the progressive and sustainable intensification of the horticultural sector, while adapting to changes in their operational environment due to COVID-19 and climate change. As of early July, one year since its operational launch,… +