Strengthening dialogue with African embassies on EU regulations: highlighting upcoming challenges for agri-food exports
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
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As part of the AGRINFO programme, COLEAD organised a dynamic exchange with African embassies in Brussels on 17 March 2026 on key regulatory issues affecting the agri-food trade “Update on Key EU Regulations for African Agri-food Exports”. AGRINFO aims to support low- and middle-income countries, in anticipating and preparing for all changes to EU rules. The event, bringing together 12 African embassies, gave in-depth insights into policy areas such as pesticide residues, mineral oil hydrocarbons, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence… +CPM-20 in Rome: contributing to global phytosanitary discussions
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
From 9 to 13 March 2026, COLEAD participated in the 20th Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), held at FAO headquarters in Rome. The event brought together the global phytosanitary community to discuss plant health, international standards, innovation, and safe trade. On 10 March, during the poster session, Thomas Lopes presented research carried out by COLEAD’s Research & Innovation Brokerage team on hot water phytosanitary treatment for controlling fruit flies in West African mango exports. This contribution is… +Strengthening science–business partnerships to transform agri-food systems – lessons from the AU–EU dialogues on research and innovation
- 22/12/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Two recent events held alongside the African Union–European Union Senior Officials Meeting within the framework of the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation (HLPD-STI) in Brussels highlighted a key challenge: the need to better connect research, innovation and economic actors in order to accelerate the sustainable transformation of agri-food systems. On 21 October 2025, an event dedicated to the role of AU–EU research and innovation strategies in shaping Africa’s food future brought together policymakers, researchers and private-sector representatives.… +EU intends to strengthen Import Controls, new task force for efficient import controls
- 22/12/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
As part of its commitment to a fairer, more competitive, and attractive EU farming sector—aligned with the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food for 2025–2029—the European Commission intends to intensify official controls on food imports from non-EU countries. The focus will be on food safety, pesticide use, and animal welfare. Already, the 2026 EU audit work programme reveals that 51% of the 159 planned agri-food chain controls will target non-EU countries exporting to the EU, against 33% in 2025. In… +New EU rules on bisphenol A and per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in food packaging: AGRINFO webinars
- 22/12/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
The AGRINFO programme recently organised a series of webinars to raise awareness of changes to European Union (EU) rules on Bisphenol A (BPA), other bisphenols and bisphenol derivatives, as well as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging. The webinars focused on the practical implications of these new rules for businesses and institutions in AGRINFO partner countries whose packaged products – when exported to the EU – need to comply with the EU legislation, including on food contact… +Looking back at the 48th Codex Alimentarius Commission: working together to strengthen agri-food standards
- 22/12/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
As part of the AGRINFO programme, COLEAD took part in the 48th Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC48), held at FAO headquarters. This major international forum for the development and adoption of food safety standards was organised this year under the theme “Together”, highlighting the importance of broad and inclusive global participation in standard-setting processes. The event provided COLEAD with a valuable opportunity to present its programmes and expertise to delegates from more than 100 countries, while also strengthening exchanges and identifying… +Unfair trading practices in agri-food supply chains: update and outlook for non-EU suppliers
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Over the past months, COLEAD, through its programmes FFM+ and AGRINFO, has been actively contributing to ensuring fairness in global supply chains, including those in ACP countries, by addressing Unfair Trading Practices (UTPs). This news provides an update on the legislative state of play and on COLEAD’s activities related to this important issue. What are UTPs? The stark imbalances between small and large operators in the agricultural and food supply chain can lead to UTPs in business-to-business relationships where farmers… +Strengthening dialogue for a sustainable agro-industry in West Africa: insights from the Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition
- 03/11/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
From 15 to 18 September 2025, COLEAD took part through the FFM+ programme, in the Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition (GISE), a major event for industrial transformation in Ghana and across West Africa. The mission aimed to strengthen synergies between public, private and technical partners, while showcasing initiatives implemented through the Fit for Market Plus (FFM+) and AGRINFO programmes. Beyond institutional visibility, this participation marked a key milestone in promoting a sustainable, innovative, and competitive regional agro-industry. The GISE: a… +First EU–Pacific Business Forum: linking Europe, Southeast Asia and the Pacific to promote sustainable growth
- 09/09/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
COLEAD participated in the Forum, which took place from 4–5 September 2025 in Nadi, Fiji. This landmark event brought together policymakers, investors, businesses, and development partners with the aim of strengthening economic relations between the EU and the Pacific region, as well as promoting sustainable growth pathways. COLEAD made a significant contribution, particularly during the thematic session ‘Realising the Blue Pacific Continent: Investing in the Ocean for Sustainable Growth’, which focused on sustainable aquaculture and fisheries. COLEAD’s presentation in the… +Indonesia: Dialogue on upcoming EU Rules on mineral oil hydrocarbons
- 09/09/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
On 23 July 2025, under the AGRINFO programme, COLEAD organised a hybrid meeting in collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Food Affairs and the Delegation of the European Union in Jakarta, bringing together around sixty participants. The objective was to raise awareness among public and private stakeholders about the forthcoming European rules on mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) in foodstuffs, which will come into force in January 2027. COLEAD’s Regulations & Standards team outlined the proposed changes and explained the practical… +