• Unfair trading practices in agri-food supply chains: update and outlook for non-EU suppliers

    • 03/11/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    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… +
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  • 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
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    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… +
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  • 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
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    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… +
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  • Indonesia: Dialogue on upcoming EU Rules on mineral oil hydrocarbons

    • 09/09/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    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… +
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  • Latin America – Caribbean: A constructive dialogue on EU trade rules

    • 09/09/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    On 4 July, the COLEAD Regulations & Standards team took part in a unique event within the framework of the AGRINFO programme: a breakfast with the embassies of Latin America and the Caribbean, hosted at the official residence of the Argentine Ambassador in Brussels. In a friendly and open atmosphere, discussions focused on crucial issues for agri-food value chains, including: The European Green Deal and its impact on trade, regulations on pesticides and organic farming, phytosanitary rules, and e-certification. Several… +
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  • AGRINFO is supporting Morocco in anticipating new EU regulations

    • 15/07/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    As part of its EU-funded AGRINFO programme, COLEAD participated in a workshop organised by Morocco FoodEx on “The new regulatory context for exports of processed agri-food products and seafood from Morocco to the EU” on 24–25 June 2025 in Marrakech. Around 130 participants attended the event, including export companies, government agencies, and professional organisations. The aim was to improve understanding of upcoming EU legislative changes and safeguard the competitiveness of Moroccan exports. Over three half-day sessions, COLEAD expert Ingrid Morvan… +
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  • Regulations and standards: upcoming European Union rules on food contamination with mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH)

    • 15/07/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    In June, three sessions were organised to inform agri-food chain stakeholders and competent authorities about new EU rules on MOH in food, which are expected to come into force in 2027. To facilitate participation by AGRINFO programme* partner countries across geographical regions, webinars were held for three different time zones with interpretation in French, Spanish and Portuguese. The webinars attracted considerable interest, with a total of 794 people registering and more than 520 taking part in the three sessions. Presentations… +
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  • Moroccan International Agricultural Exhibition (SIAM) 2025: COLEAD mobilised to provide insights on EU regulatory developments and strengthen ties with African and European agri-food professionals

    • 06/05/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    From 22 to 25 April 2025, COLEAD took part—for the second consecutive year—in the Moroccan International Agricultural Exhibition (SIAM) in Meknes, at the invitation of the European Union Delegation (EUD). This mission aimed to promote the AGRINFO programme, funded by the EU, along with digital resources developed by COLEAD through the Fit for Market Plus (FFM+) programme. Explaining regulatory changes in the European Union Ingrid Morvan, expert from COLEAD’s Regulations and Standards Department, led two sessions at SIAM titled “Exporting… +
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  • EU food packaging regulations: the new rules impose new requirements that also apply to suppliers outside the European Union

    • 06/03/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    New rules on packaging and packaging waste, including design and waste management, are set by the European Union (EU) under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) (Regulation 2025/40). The objective is to increase the reuse and recycling of all packaging materials, including food packaging. The new rules also apply to suppliers of packaged food to the EU market who are based outside the EU. Under the PPWR rules, all packaging and packaging waste made of any material have to… +
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  • Ethiopia: more partnerships for more impact

    • 29/10/2024
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    Ethiopia: more partnerships for more impact   COLEAD’s recent mission to Ethiopia under FFM+ made significant progress in addressing key challenges and opportunities in the Ethiopian horticulture sector. With a focus on improving sustainability, business linkages and regulatory compliance, the mission was an important step in preparing the ground for additional support from 2025 onwards. Priority areas identified During the mission, COLEAD identified several priority areas that will shape its future interventions in Ethiopia. These include : Capacity building for… +
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