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Lecture by Agnès Kalibata, on Friday 23 March in Gembloux, Belgium
“Re-envisioning Investment for African agriculture…” Lecture by Agnès Kalibata, on Friday 23 March in Gembloux, Belgium.Next Friday 23 March 2018, Agnès Kalibata, President of AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) is set to deliver a lecture at Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech – Liège University, entitled “Re-envisioning Investment for African Agriculture: Top Priorities for Growing Food, Jobs and Economies”.In her capacity as the President of AGRA and in partnership with the public and private sector, Doctor Agnès Kalibata focuses her organisation’s endeavours piloted by the vision of a secure and prosperous African continent, thanks to fast and sustained agricultural growth.Prior to joining AGRA in September 2014, Mrs Kalibata served as Rwanda’s Minister for Agriculture and Animal Resources. Agnès Kalibata holds a PhD in entomology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.The lecture will be held at Espace Senghor at the Faculty of Gembloux, starting at 15.00 hours (Entrée 7, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech – Liège University). The event is free and open to all.The next day, Saturday 24 March, Agnès Kalibata is set to receive the title of Doctor Honoris Causa at an award ceremony at Liège University.
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COLEACP’s e-learning platform
Learn, test and certify your know-how in the following 7 key areas for a sustainable and inclusive agricultural industry:- Food safety - Plant health - Social accountability and empowerment - Agricultural production and processing - Sustainable production and trade - Business management and development - Environmental managementAll these interactive learning journeys are differentiated according to the degree of expertise and level of progress.Visit our Platform!
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CAMEROON: MORE COORDINATION FOR GREATER IMPACT
COLEACP and the European Development Fund National Authorizing Officer Support Unit (CAON-FED) signed a partnership agreement on 22 March to share their knowledge and experience with a view to heightening capacity building in the public and private horticultural sector in Cameroon.The principle objectives of this partnership are to: Promote the horticultural sector as a driver for macro-economic growth through job creation for the younger generation by ensuring that agriculture is more productive, competitive and relevant to national, regional and international markets; Attract investment to the most promising horticultural value chains to ensure that the necessary resources are available to contribute to the success of the national horticultural strategy. CAON-FED is the structure responsible for acting as an interface and facilitator between the Cameroon Government and the Delegation of the European Union.On 4 and 5 April, both organisations held a workshop on the respective roles and responsibilities of public and private sector stakeholders for sanitary and phytosanitary controls systems, using the Cameroon fruit and vegetable export sector as an example. TOGO: CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THE NATIONAL SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY CONTROL SYSTEM Several Togolese Ministers and the Togo National Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee have signed a partnership agreement with the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) to provide capacity building on the application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures in Togo. This partnership should help to provide better market access for Togolese fruit and vegetables, and more broadly lead to sustained economic growth and poverty alleviation for the country.This project supplements the initiatives undertaken by other United Nations bodies, such as the FAO and the WHO (National communications strategy on sanitary and phytosanitary issues, Food inspection good practices guide).Food safety (Maximum Residue Limits of pesticides exceedances) and plant health (white flies, fruit flies and false codling moths) issues encountered in the horticultural industry will be targeted. It is foreseen for COLEACP to support the implementation of this project and to leverage the experiences from the horticultural industry to positively impact other Togolese agricultural value chains.The expected outcomes are an improved sanitary and phytosanitary control system and more effective traceability for Togolese fruit and vegetable exports.
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2018 European Development Days
“Women and girls at the forefront of sustainable development: protect, empower, invest” will be the key theme of these 2018 European Development Days (EDD). COLEACP will be one of the exhibitors at the EDD development village in partnership with the ACP YPN.Our new training system will be showcased, together with a concept store, linked to an online shop, that will present innovative, healthy and high-quality products (organic fruit juices, dried mangos and pineapples, coco butter, mango butter,…) and more importantly, the stories of the women (and men) behind these products who are contributing to the sustainable development of their countries.Organised by the European Commission, the EDDs bring together the development community once a year to share ideas and experiences that will inspire new partnerships and innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges the world is facing. The EDDs will take place at the Tour & Taxis complex on 5 and 6 June 2018 in Brussels, Belgium.
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HOW TO ENSURE THAT YOUR FORTHCOMING FRUIT LOGISTICA TRADE SHOW IS A SUCCESS?
How can you ensure a successful trade fair participation at the next edition of Fruit Logistica in 2019?By preparing your participation! COLEACP has drawn up a practical guide for its members that can be obtained by clicking here.From this year onwards, Africa has a dedicated exhibition hall. The success of this new exhibition centre has created a very favourable environment for mobilising new country exhibitors in 2019. Do you already have a project in mind? We can help you! Contact us at network@coleacp.org (link sends e-mail).
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Fruit Logistica 2019: our guide and location
Post date: January 28th, 2019 As you know, COLEACP will have a booth (Hall 26 Booth D-17) at the upcoming Fruit Logistica exhibition, to be held in Berlin from 6 to 8 February. You are of course welcome.More than 3,200 exhibitors and 78,000 trade visitors will participate in FRUIT LOGISTICA 2019. The Africa Hall, successfully launched in 2018, will again be host to COLEACP in 2019.FRUIT LOGISTICA 2019 offers an opportunity for SMEs from ACP countries, visitors and exhibitors to make direct contact with the international fruit and vegetable market, buyers, competitors, and the latest innovations in the sector.Make a success of your visit to FRUIT LOGISTICA 2019 (reserved for Coleacp members only)
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COLEACP at the World Banana Forum
The banana is the world’s most exported fruit (around 10 billion US dollars per year). It is an essential source of income and employment for thousands of rural families in developing countries, including African and Caribbean countries*. Since it was established in 1973, COLEACP’s members have included key players from the global banana supply chain. In joining the World Banana Forum (WBF), the association reaffirms its commitment to increasing its activities in this sector which is of high socioeconomic importance for ACP countries.The WBF brings together the multiple stakeholders from across the global banana supply chain: retailers, importers, producers, exporters, consumer associations, governments, research institutions, trade unions and civil society organisations. It provides a unique platform for them to work together to achieve consensus on best practices for sustainable banana production and trade. The WBF’s mission is twofold : To inspire collaboration between stakeholders in order to find pragmatic solutions for the betterment of the banana industry; Achieve consensus on best practices regarding workplace issues, gender equity, environmental impact, sustainable production and economic issues. In joining the WBF, COLEACP adheres to the forum’s principle that collaboration is the key to continuous improvement and will provide its expertise in capacity building sustainable agricultural value chains to the EU-ACP banana sector.This type of international partnership is in line with the association’s operational strategy and complements synergies and collaborations implemented at local and regional level in ACP countries.*Source FMB
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COLEACP’S training department is expanding its offer
With new training topics, new online and paper tools, COLEACP’S training department is expanding its offer to meet the needs of companies benefiting from the Fit For Market* (FFM) programme.One of the central pillars of the FFM programme is the COLEACP training system.Designed and implemented during the PIP programmes and later expanded to other projects coordinated by COLEACP (e.g. EDES, Fruit Fly Programme), the programme now offers new teaching resources. Around 100 new training tools (manuals, guides, brochures etc.) are currently being developed on specific topics such as business competitiveness (market access, management of resources) or the sustainable environmental management (management of inputs and outputs, environmental impact assessment, environmental restoration through good practices etc.). 70 on-site training sessions are already scheduled in different countries of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) for year 2 of the FFM.In e-learning (11 training courses, more than 2000 users), the training aims to consolidate learners’ technical know-how in agricultural practices and the conformity of produce for export. This complements face-to-face training. The latest addition to the platform is the Experimented level of the Traceability course launched in the “Massive Open Online Courses” format (MOOC**). The 6-week pilot course was facilitated by a tutor, especially via a discussion forum. One of the objectives of this MOOC is to enable the most qualified learners to go on to become tutors in future sessions. Another way to boost the impact and sustainability of the COLEACP training system.http://training.coleacp.org*Via the Fit For Market (FFM) programme, COLEACP supports the fruit and vegetable supply chain in ACP countries, including companies producing and exporting fresh and processed fruit and vegetables, to:Develop and improve their market access Train and sustain their human resources Implement an environmental management policy Improve their competitiveness Facilitate their access to financing**Massive Open Online Course or online training open to all. This is an open form of distance learning that can accommodate a large number of participants.
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Monitoring RASFF and EUROPHYT notifications
COLEACP follows sanitary and phytosanitary regulations (SPS) very closely to identify the decisions and trends which could have an impact on the fruit and vegetable value chains in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. The information obtained is used to adapt the technical recommendations for producers and inform the ACP suppliers about the measures to be taken.COLEACP tracks the following issues on a monthly basis in particular: MRL exceedances (maximum residue limits) for pesticides on fruit and vegetables arriving on the European market and recorded by the surveillance programmes of the Member States and the European Commission (RASFF notifications) Phytosanitary non conformity alerts via EUROPHYT, due to the presence of harmful organisms on fruit and vegetables imported into the European Market. Starting from October, COLEACP will send a monthly inventory of the notifications by ACP country. This will enable you to stay informed or alert your attention so you may contact COLEACP if required.Find out more about Europhyt:The EU rules governing the protection of plants are intended to protect crops, fruit, vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants and forests against parasites and harmful diseases (harmful organisms) and to prevent their introduction and propagation in the EU. The Member States of the EU are required to inspect and track the incidence of harmful organisms in imported products. The results of the surveillance programme are provided to the public via the Europhyt system at https://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/plant_health_biosecurity/europhyt/interceptions_en.Find out more about the RASFF alert system:Every Member State of the EU monitors pesticide residues, particularly on fruit and vegetables. The RASFF is informed whenever maximum pesticide residue levels have been exceeded. A RASFF notification is required when the food in question presents a risk to consumer health. The notifications are available at http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/rapidalert/rasff_portal_database_fr.htm
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New EU Plant Health Regulation: anticipating impacts for African, Caribbean and Pacific countries!
On 13 December 2016, the new EU Plant Health Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/2031) was introduced*. This is a major overhaul of the EU Plant Health legislation, which has been in place since 1977. It repeals and replaces the 7 existing Council Directives on harmful organisms, and becomes fully applicable on 13 December 2019. In the interim, a series of delegated and implementing acts will be adopted, and competent authorities and operators must adjust to the new rules.One of the main changes under the new regulation is that it addresses all pests – quarantine and non-quarantine - which will be categorised following risk assessment. This will include priority pests, which are Union Quarantine Pests with the most serious potential impact on the EU. They will be subject to enhanced measures including surveys, eradication action plans, and contingency plans. A list of priority pests will be adopted through a delegated act by the time the new regulation is fully applied in 2019.The regulation also introduces specific measures concerning imports, and the movement within the EU, of certain high risk commodities; this is a new level of precaution. Annexes III and IV of Directive 2000/29** under current rules will remain valid, and an additional list of high risk plants or plant products will be adopted.Finally, there will also be important changes concerning requirements for phytosanitary certificates, registration of professional operators, traceability of commodities, plant passports (planting material), and export, re-export and pre-export certificates.While the import of most plants and plant products from non-EU countries will in principle be allowed, under the new regulations they will be subject to more stringent conditions, and there could be some serious implications for trade. The main concerns include the introduction of the regulations itself, the requirement for phytosanitary certificates, and the listing of high risk commodities.During the lead up to the full application of the new EU Plant Health Regulation on 13 December 2019, COLEACP (via FFM) will work hand in hand with ACP representatives at the SPS Committee, competent authorities in ACP countries and industry representatives to avoid any loss or breaks in trade which would have a negative development impact.Contact COLEACP for more details at info@coleacp.orgPrevious news on this topic: “Stringent new European Union plant health regulations introduced”*http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32016R2031 ; http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-4310_en.htm**Annex III: Listing of harmful organisms whose introduction and spread within member states (or protected zones) is banned if they are present on certain plants or plant products; Annex IV: plants, plant products and other objects the introduction of which is prohibited in all member states ( or protected zones).
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Important amendment to EU Plant Health regulations affecting exports of chillies and peppers (Capsicum)
Until the new European Plant Health Regulation comes into force in December 2019, the application of existing EU rules is being reinforced. This has implications for third countries exporting to the EU, including the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states.On 15 July 2017, the European Commission published Implementing Directive 2017/1279, which sets out important new plant health rules affecting ACP exports. These rules require additional measures for the control of four new quarantine pests, including False Codling Moth (Thaumatotybia leucotreta) on Capsicum (including hot pepper).The new rules will apply from 1 January 2018, but measures need to be taken now in order to prepare for them.More details are provided in the link below, but in summary, it is urgent for the authorities in the countries affected to: Collect pest data to evidence the effectiveness of control methods being used by growers Compile a dossier on the methods used, and data on its effectiveness, and submit to the EU authorities before 1st January 2018 Inform Capsicum growers and exporters about the regulatory changes. It is critically important that they are aware of the new Directive so that they can take appropriate action and decisions on their future production plans, investments, and markets. The example of False Coddling Moth illustrates that it is critically important for each ACP country to have a national capacity to respond not only to the challenges of the new European plant health regulation, but also to the more stringent application of the rules currently in force.The Directive specifies Capsicum exported to the EU from Africa, Cape Verde, Madagascar, La Reunion, and Mauritius. These countries are known to have established populations of False Codling Moth (FCM), and there have been historically high numbers of interceptions on hot pepper. From 1st January 2018, producers in these countries will only be able to export Capsicum to the EU:Either from an area of the country or a place of production that is designated to be free of FCM. This designation must be issued by the National Plan Protection Organisation (NPPO) and according to international standards (IPPC Guidelines). In addition, the production sites must receive official inspections during the growing season to confirm the FCM-free status Or If the produce is given an effective cold treatment (or other effective treatment), that ensures it is FCM free. The method used must be indicated on the plant health certificate, and be communicated in advance to the EC. On 4th August an addendum to the Directive was issued through the WTO (G/SPS/N/EU/196/Add.1). This can be searched using the link: http://spsims.wto.org/. The addendum requires countries concerned to send details to the EC describing the treatment that has been applied to the fruit, together with evidence of the effectiveness of this treatment. This dossier must be sent to the European authorities ( SANTE-G1-PLANT-HEALTH@ec.europa.eu ) before 1st January 2018.The treatments outlined will be assessed by a committee of EU experts; if they accept the treatments as effective, exports can continue. However, if they reject the treatments applied, or if they do not receive the dossier by 1st January, Capsicum imports from the countries concerned will be rejected.No guidance has been provided by the European authorities on the treatments that are likely to be acceptable. Cold treatments are mentioned in the Directive; this is a method used on citrus, but little information is available on its suitability for use on Capsicum, in particular its impact on quality and shelf-life. COLEACP is organising trials to investigate this as soon as possible. Some countries are growing Capsicum in net houses, to create a barrier that excludes FCM from the crop. The NPPOs in these countries must collect pest data (according to IPPC Guidelines) to give evidence to the EU authorities that this method is effective.For more information or additional request please contact COLEACP at info@coleacp.org
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COLEACP and the climate: Create a capacity to adapt and absorb changes in food safety, social or environmental domains!
Although it is established that the poor countries of the South are and will be the first victims of global warming, and that the most polluting country has stated its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, managing agricultural production on all fronts has become the sine qua non to guarantee access to the most profitable markets.Since 2000, COLEACP has drawn up strategies aimed at updating the knowledge of its members and beneficiaries: a multitude of SMEs, small-scale producers and sometimes even large companies.During the earlier part of the decade, regulations on pesticide residues, food hygiene and various rules ensuring food safety forced a change in mindset regarding the modes of production; control at all stages and the obligation to prove the existence and implementation of control measures .There were two ways of tackling these issues: settling for ad hoc certifications or transforming the value chain in a sustainable way. It is the second option that COLEACP has adopted and continues to apply today through its capacity-building system.To convince producers, this challenge had to be transformed into an opportunity! The case of the traceability of outputs from small-scale producers speaks volumes: implementing this seemed insurmountable, but with support from COLEACP, companies quickly realised that the traceability system was a great opportunity to streamline and optimise their business and control costs.Between 2005 and 2015, the same methods were applied to all European market requirements, such as environmental protection and social welfare.Today, the ‘Fit For Market’ programme applies these instructions with a ‘hard-line’ approach. By strengthening capacities in the short, medium and long term amongst all operators, while providing technical solutions and assistance to immediately apply the new knowledge in situ.Since 2004, over 2,000 business development projects have been supported and implemented with COLEACP.Applying the principles of sustainability, with its three mainstays, to improve business competitiveness is the best example of transforming a problem into an opportunity. Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) operators understand this well: the Fit For Market programme, which strengthens the competitiveness of ACP SME producers by implementing sustainability measures, has been a huge success to date and is only gaining in momentum with already 250 requests for support in year one.COLEACP and its beneficiaries are accompanying producers in the development of sustainable climate-compatible agriculture which brings with it opportunities for all and especially small-holders.Guy StinglhamberCOLEACP General Delegate.