Cultivating
Sustainable Futures
DRC: a first assessment of public-private dialogue on sanitary and phytosanitary issues
A score of 1.17 out of 3 and a roadmap of 48 activities for the horticultural sector and agricultural inputs.How good is the dialogue between government and the private sector on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) matters in the Democratic Republic of Congo? Congolese stakeholders themselves gave the answer: 1.17 out of 3, or 39.1%. That level of maturity, described as emerging and fragmented, was established at a national participatory workshop held from 29 to 31 July 2026 in Kinshasa, which brought together some 40 representatives of public authorities, the private sector, including FEC, COPEMECO, AFEECO and FEFCO, and civil society. COLEAD supported this pilot phase under the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, funded by the European Union and the OACPS.An assessment made by the stakeholders themselvesThe exercise used the methodology developed by COLEAD, drawing in particular on the R-SAT tool and the STDF guide on public-private partnerships in SPS systems. It covered the horticultural sector and agricultural inputs: pesticides, fertilisers, seeds and irrigation water.The picture is a mixed one. The DRC has a legal and institutional framework in place, along with solid links to regional and international SPS bodies, from the WTO SPS Committee to Codex Alimentarius, the IPPC, SADC and COMESA. Day-to-day functioning, however, remains constrained: some key stakeholders take little part, particularly small-scale horticultural producers and input retailers; dialogue structures lack resources; and there is no formal monitoring and evaluation mechanism.A public health issue as much as a competitiveness oneHorticulture matters to livelihoods in Kinshasa. The use of unregistered inputs and weaknesses in control systems therefore weigh on two fronts at once: the health of Congolese consumers, and the ability of the country's products to reach markets, local as well as regional and international.From dialogue to actionThe workshop did not stop at the diagnosis. Participants jointly developed and validated a Priority Action Plan for September 2026 to August 2027: 4 strategic objectives, 23 action matrices, 48 activities. Its centrepiece is the creation and formalisation of a Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue Framework for the Horticultural Sector and Agricultural Inputs (CDMFMI), with a permanent Executive Secretariat, public-private co-chairing and an amicable mediation mechanism.The rest of the roadmap tackles the weaknesses identified head-on: sustainable financing and accountability mechanisms so that the arrangement lasts; the formal inclusion of cooperatives and input retailers; and transparency tools, including public consultation mechanisms and a national digital information platform on agricultural inputs. A Public-Private Monitoring Committee will oversee implementation, with a six-monthly recommendation tracking matrix and an annual activity and accountability report.This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. 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 or the OACPS.
Madagascar: a compliance action plan for SCRIMAD, and hands on the SEDEX platform
Training, workshops and coaching on SMETA requirements — the final FFM+ activity in Madagascar.A European buyer asking for a SMETA audit is not asking for good intentions, it is asking for evidence. That is where many horticultural companies struggle: social and environmental requirements are known in broad terms, but translating them into procedures and supporting documents remains unclear. The Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme supported SCRIMAD/MPE SA through exactly that step, focusing on the four pillars of the SEDEX-SMETA framework.From requirements to gapsThe support combined training, practical workshops and coaching. The training covered SMETA-SEDEX requirements, management systems, document control and how audits work. The workshops then applied all of it directly to the company's own situation, through case studies and group work.The core of the assignment was to identify SCRIMAD/MPE SA's main compliance gaps and define the corrective actions to close them. The result is a compliance action plan setting out, for each measure, the evidence expected — the part companies most often underestimate when they present themselves for an audit.Then from the platform to the questionnaireCoaching then turned to the SEDEX platform itself: reading the self-assessment questionnaire, working out which supporting documents to assemble, preparing the answers. The aim was autonomy — that the team be able to complete and update its profile without outside help.This assignment closes COLEAD's work in Madagascar under FFM+, after several years of support to the Malagasy horticultural sector. The handover is already in place: FFM Africa 2030, for which the grant agreement with the European Commission has been signed, will carry the work forward across Sub-Saharan Africa over the next six years.This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. 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 or the OACPS.
Malawi: TAC-MAZ, a social enterprise equipped to talk to investors
A financial model, a revised business plan and a data room for a horticultural business working with 2,000 smallholder farmersTAC-MAZ Sustainable Ventures produces and processes horticultural products in Malawi, working with some 2,000 smallholder out-growers. The social enterprise has been growing fast, and had run into the constraint that almost always comes with it: financial management systems that had not kept pace, and therefore a limited ability to convince an outside financier. COLEAD, under Phase II of the Commercial Capacity-Building Programme (PRCC), financed by the French Development Agency (AFD), delivered technical assistance targeted at exactly that.Getting a clear view of the accountsThe work began with a review of sales records, production data, cost schedules and financial statements, carried out with the company's finance and management teams. It produced a full financial model and a cash-flow projection tool, giving the company visibility over its position and its short-term outlook. The team was coached on updating and using them independently, which is what allows the tools to outlast the assignment. The business plan was then restructured: a clearer statement of the business model, better alignment between the out-grower model, value-added activities, market development and growth strategy, and priority investments identified and built into the revised plan.From plan to investorsThe second part of the assignment dealt with the approach to investors itself. An investor-ready pitch deck was built from the revised business plan, and the management team was coached on presenting the company. A data room was set up with the documents financiers typically ask for, and a list of relevant funding opportunities was handed over. TAC-MAZ plans to apply to one of them, FCI4Africa.This sequence, running from the financial model through to a specific funding window, drew on joint work by COLEAD's Technical Assistance and Access to Finance departments.The next steps are the company's ownThe assignment's recommendations map out what remains: putting the revised business plan into practice, tightening financial record-keeping, structuring engagement with investors, further formalising the out-grower model and diversifying markets, with future export readiness in mind.This activity is supported by the PRCC (Trade Capacity Building Programme), implemented by COLEAD, with financial support from the French Republic through the French Development Agency (AFD). This communication has been produced with the financial support of AFD. Its content is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the position of AFD.
AgriFI: technical assistance gathers pace - Three assignments completed, three new ones confirmed with African agrifood SMEs
Under the AgriFI programme, funded by the European Union and managed by EDFI Management Company (EDFI MC), COLEAD provides advisory and technical assistance services to the companies supported by the programme. Two years into this collaboration, a first cycle of assignments has been completed and a new wave of projects is confirmed.AgriFI, a financial lever for agricultureEDFI MC is an impact-driven financial service provider, born from the collaboration between the European Development Finance Institutions (EDFIs) and the European Commission. The AgriFI programme, with a budget of €4 million over four years (since 2024), responds to the lack of financing mechanisms adapted to smallholders, vulnerable groups, women, youth, farmers and entrepreneurs. It targets SMEs, financial institutions and impact funds, with investments ranging from €0.5 to €5 million in countries on the OECD DAC list. The technical assistance provided by COLEAD supports these companies in strengthening their capacities and securing investments.Three assignments successfully completedBetween late 2024 and early 2026, three assignments were signed and carried through to completion: in Ghana, a diagnosis of Complete Farmer's outgrowers scheme and training system; in Togo, support to Cajou Espoir SA on honey production and market access; and in Burkina Faso, an assignment with Agroserv on food safety and the corn supply chain.A new wave of confirmed projectsThree new projects are starting in 2026: in Uganda, support to INUA Capital (impact investment fund) on environmental and social (E&S) reporting and capacity building; in Tanzania, assistance to a company in the food distribution and logistics sector towards QMS ISO 9001:2015 certification; and in Kenya, a technical and operational assessment of an Agritech company serving smallholder farmers. These assignments confirm COLEAD's role as AgriFI's technical assistance partner, serving growing agrifood businesses across the African continent.About EDFI Management Company: EDFI Management Company (EDFI MC) is a multilaterally owned impact asset manager that delivers innovative development finance solutions. The company enables European DFIs, development banks, and private sector investors to increase the scale and impact of their work, focusing on business models, technologies, and geographies where other investors have not been able to operate at the desired scale.About Cajou Espoir: Cajou Espoir is Togo’s leading processor of raw cashew nuts, playing a crucial role in the country’s cashew value chain. With a focus on sustainable practices, the company is organic / fairtrade certified and is committed to supporting local communities and enhancing livelihoods.About COLEAD: COLEAD is a leading provider of technical assistance in sustainable agriculture, working with organizations worldwide to implement innovative and effective solutions for improved agricultural practices and rural development.
Training of trainers in Dominican Republic: strengthening capacities in training and communication techniques
As part of the Sanidad e Innovación Agropecuaria (SIA) project, implemented by COLEAD in the Dominican Republic with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), our teams are rganizing three training-of-trainers sessions from 6 to 24 July for technicians from the Ministry of Agriculture and the General Directorate of Livestock.The aim of the training is to strengthen the technical and methodological capacities of agricultural trainers to incorporate the gender approach into training, technical assistance and rural productive development processes, thereby contributing to a more inclusive, sustainable and competitive agriculture in the Dominican Republic.The 60 technicians selected to be trained by the COLEAD team will in turn train other extension technicians in the country's regional offices, who will then apply the knowledge acquired with producers throughout the country in ten specific value chains: avocado, pitahaya, cocoa, bitter melon (cundeamor), chilli peppers, aubergines, cattle, pigs, poultry and beekeeping.This work is carried out using the good practice manuals developed by the COLEAD team, which has been working on this project since May 2024. Of the 22 manuals produced, the ten value chains mentioned above were selected as the key ones for this training phase.About the SIA projectEntrusted to COLEAD by the Dominican Ministry of Agriculture and financed by the IDB over a period of 29 months (April 2024 – October 2026), the SIA project aims to strengthen sustainable production capacities, increase food safety and improve access to local and international markets. It responds to the many challenges facing the Dominican agricultural sector, particularly in terms of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, while promoting sustainable growth. Its specific objectives cover improving agri-food health and safety services, promoting innovation and technology transfer, and strengthening the agricultural statistical system.Find out more here.This activity is supported by the SIA project (Sanidad e Innovación Agropecuaria), implemented by COLEAD on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic and financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under loan no. BID-4909/OC-DR. This publication has been produced with the financial support of the IDB. The contents are the sole responsibility of COLEAD and in no way reflect the views of the Dominican Ministry of Agriculture or the IDB.
EU and GB approval changes
January-May 2026
Agroecological practices in Uganda: the Kangulumira Horticulture and Vanilla Cooperative Society strengthens the sustainability of its production
In Uganda, the Kangulumira Horticulture and Vanilla Cooperative Society (KHVCS) has benefited from technical support to strengthen the sustainability of its production systems. As part of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, the mission focused on composting, integrated pest management and agroecological practices, resulting in concrete recommendations — including the introduction of biochar to valorise organic waste.COLEAD, under the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, carried out a technical support mission with the Kangulumira Horticulture and Vanilla Cooperative Society (KHVCS) in Uganda, aimed at strengthening the sustainability and resilience of its production systems. The mission focused on improving composting systems, integrated pest management (IPM) and agroecological practices.From knowledge to practice, in the fieldBuilding on the knowledge already gained through COLEAD training, the mission combined technical assessment with hands-on coaching to help the cooperative translate good agricultural practices into day-to-day actions. Through field visits, consultations, demonstrations and technical guidance, the expert worked alongside KHVCS management, technical staff and producers to identify ways to improve organic waste management, soil fertility and sustainable production.A solid foundation, with room for progressThe mission confirmed that KHVCS has a strong foundation for organic production: a network of experienced producers and well-established certification systems. It also identified concrete levers for improvement: strengthening composting, making better use of pineapple residues, consolidating integrated pest management and disseminating agroecological practices more widely. Among the innovative recommendations is the introduction of biochar — via a Top-Lid UpDraft (TLUD) unit — to transform organic waste into a valuable soil amendment, improving resource efficiency while reducing environmental impact.Lasting local ownershipBeyond the technical recommendations, the mission significantly strengthened the capacities of staff and producers through field-based coaching, enabling them to confidently implement improved composting techniques, sustainable soil fertility management and integrated pest management practices across the cooperative. The collaborative approach adopted throughout the mission consolidated local ownership of the actions and puts KHVCS in a strong position to sustain this progress well beyond the intervention.This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. 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 or the OACPS.
The Gambia – SPRING Programme: first achievements and new approaches to support Gambian horticulture
Officially launched on 14 April 2026, the SPRING programme (Sustainable Production for Resilient and Inclusive New Generations) is now entering its operational phase in The Gambia. Funded by the European Union with a budget of of €18.9 million and implemented by COLEAD over the 2025-2030 period, SPRING aims to strengthen the contribution of the Gambian horticultural sector to economic growth, food security, food safety and nutrition, by accelerating a resilient, market-driven and people-centred agroecological transition — particularly for women and young people.Investment, food safety and nutrition: the three pillars of the programmeThe programme pursues three complementary objectives: (i) increase investments, productivity, income and employment opportunities, especially for women, young people and marginalised groups, within the targeted horticultural value chains; (ii) improve plant health, food safety, quality management and sustainable agroecological practices among horticultural producers and processors; and (iii) strengthen diversified, nutrition-sensitive horticultural value chains.SPRING targets priority value chains at three levels: export (mango, capsicum, groundnut), the local market (tomato, onion) and nutrition through biofortified crops (orange-fleshed sweet potato, iron-rich beans, cassava).Youth training, nutrition, infrastructure, finance: new levers for actionBeyond COLEAD's long-standing areas of intervention — plant health, food safety, sustainable practices, capacity building for MSMEs and producer organisations, access to markets and finance — the SPRING programme enriches the support offer with several complementary levers for action:A "Next-Gen" traineeship programme linking young professionals with businesses and institutions in the horticultural sector;The integration of nutrition into COLEAD's support, through nutrition-sensitive value chains and dietary behaviour change;An infrastructure component, aimed at boosting productivity, processing and quality in the targeted value chains, including laboratories;A Matching Grant Facility to finance or co-finance investments by horticultural SMEs in infrastructure, equipment and sustainability-driven innovation;The promotion of horticultural investment, by facilitating matchmaking between actors in the targeted value chains and potential investors, both local and international.Baseline studies, public-private dialogue, support to beneficiaries: early progress on the groundOn the ground, work to establish the baseline is under way: a bottleneck study, an R-SAT assessment for the competent authorities and a survey on access to farming inputs. A draft nutrition strategy has also been developed, while public-private dialogue has intensified through the revitalisation of the National SPS Committee during World Food Safety Day events organised in collaboration with the World Bank-funded GIRAV programme. Following stakeholder meetings organised by COLEAD for private sector representatives, the industry also proposed revitalising the private sector association, GAMHORT.Direct support to the programme's beneficiary partners is generating strong interest, with nearly one hundred expressions of interest already received. The priority needs identified include access to adequate financing, improved water and irrigation management, skilled human resources and technical expertise, reduced post-harvest losses, better access to markets, and the adoption of climate-resilient practices.Next step: the evaluation of the national SPS control system using the R-SAT toolIn early August 2026, The Gambia will host a workshop to evaluate its national sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) control system as applied to value chains destined for the local market — onion, tomato, sweet potato, cassava and cowpea. Led and facilitated with the "Domestic Value Chains" Technical Working Group, established as part of the revitalisation of the National SPS Committee, this exercise will draw on the R-SAT tool and will see the first roll-out of the new "RSAT" application developed by COLEAD.The workshop will be accompanied by discussions with the competent authorities on their needs and the support the programme could provide, with partners beneficiaries who have already expressed interest — in order to identify priority actions to be implemented — as well as with the Delegation of the European Union and other technical and financial partners, with a view to potential collaborations.This activity is supported by the "Sustainable Production for Resilient and Inclusive New Generations" (SPRING) programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by COLEAD. This communication has been produced with the financial support of the EU. Its content is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the EU.
Supporting BioUganda's organic transition for sustainable market access
In Uganda, BioUganda Ltd. has benefited from technical support from COLEAD, under the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, to prepare its compliance with the new EU Organic Regulation (EU) 2018/848 resulting in a clear roadmap towards the Group of Operators (GoO) certification.This post-training technical assistance mission built on the knowledge gained through COLEAD's Organic Agriculture training. It provided tailored technical coaching to assess BioUganda's current level of compliance, validate its initial diagnosis, and consolidate its roadmap towards the new organic certification requirements. Working closely with the company's management and farmer representatives, the expert reviewed existing management systems, strengthened the Internal Control System (ICS), and refined the company's action plan to ensure a structured and practical transition to the new Group of Operators certification model.The mission provided BioUganda with a clear and realistic roadmap towards certification by identifying priority actions, strengthening governance arrangements, and reinforcing the company's capacity to support its network of organic producers. Through constructive dialogue, field verification, and technical guidance, the mission also fostered stronger collaboration between BioUganda and its farmer groups, laying a solid foundation for sustainable compliance and long-term growth.This intervention reflects COLEAD's continued commitment to translating knowledge into action by helping horticultural enterprises implement practical improvements that enhance competitiveness, strengthen quality management systems, and improve access to high-value international markets. By supporting companies such as BioUganda in adapting to evolving regulatory requirements, COLEAD continues to contribute to more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive horticultural value chains across Africa.This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. 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 or the OACPS.
Strengthening youth agricultural entrepreneurship through business plan development support for SUGECO in Tanzania
In Tanzania, the youth-led cooperative SUGECO received post-training support from COLEAD, under the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, to transform an initial draft business plan into a robust, investment-ready document. The outcome: a five-year plan, a detailed market study and financial tools to launch a spice business creating employment opportunities for young people.Beyond its training pathways, the FFM+ programme offers tailored post-training support, enabling beneficiaries to apply the knowledge acquired to concrete challenges. It is within this framework that SUGECO was supported, following its participation in the COLEAD training course "Developing a business plan for your agrifood business".SUGECO: a youth-led cooperative born of Sokoine's agricultural universityEstablished in 2011 by graduates and faculty members of the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), the Sokoine University Graduates Entrepreneurs Cooperative (SUGECO) promotes youth employment and entrepreneurship through agriculture, by facilitating access to land, finance, technology and markets. It now has more than 2,300 members.Its flagship project, the Kizimba Business Model (KBM) Farm in the Morogoro region, serves as an incubation and demonstration hub where young entrepreneurs gain access to irrigated land, mechanisation, training and market linkages. It was in this context that SUGECO identified the opportunity to establish a commercially viable spice business, focused on ginger, habanero chilli and paprika.From an initial draft to a bankable projectFollowing the training, SUGECO had developed a first business plan, but further support was needed to consolidate the business model, refine the market analysis, improve the financial projections and strengthen the investment's bankability. Through technical coaching sessions, document reviews and working meetings, the consultant supported the management team in strengthening the strategic and financial components of the project, ensuring that the model was built on realistic production assumptions, underpinned by market data.Concrete resultsThe intervention resulted in a comprehensive five-year business plan setting out the strategic direction, operating model, investment requirements, financial projections and risk management of the spice business. It is underpinned by a detailed market study report covering the ginger, habanero chilli and paprika value chains — analysing demand, trends, customer segments and opportunities at national, regional and international levels — as well as detailed financial projections (operating budgets, investment plans, cash flow forecasts and profitability analyses) demonstrating the commercial viability of the project. Beyond these deliverables, the process strengthened SUGECO's internal capacities in strategic planning and financial analysis, equipping the team with a practical tool to steer implementation and engage with prospective funders.What's next? Mobilising capital and scaling upThe business plan provides SUGECO with a roadmap for developing the KBM Farm spice business and a tool for resource mobilisation. The next phase will focus on mobilising investment capital, developing commercial spice production, strengthening linkages with buyers and creating new opportunities for young people. Through this initiative, SUGECO is well positioned to strengthen its contribution to youth employment and to the growth of the spice sector in Tanzania.This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. 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 or the OACPS.
OFRUTTI in Senegal: post-training support strengthens financial management
Founded in 2021, OFRUTTI processes locally grown Senegalese fruit into high-value products for both domestic and international markets, helping to reduce post-harvest losses while increasing producers' incomes. The company has recently benefited from post-training technical assistance to translate the knowledge acquired through the Accounting and Financial Management training into practical business practices. Delivered under the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, this tailored support strengthened OFRUTTI's financial management tools and provided the company with a clear roadmap to prepare for its future growth and development projects.Following the "Accounting and Financial Management" training organised under the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, COLEAD supported the Senegalese company OFRUTTI through post-training technical assistance, designed to turn what was learned into concrete improvements in its management practices. Specialising in fruit processing, OFRUTTI produces dried mangoes in particular, for both local and international markets.Support tailored to the company's maturityAlready equipped with an accounting structure and management software, OFRUTTI wanted to go further: to strengthen its financial steering tools and consolidate its practices in order to support its growth. The support was therefore calibrated to this level of maturity and built on a prior assessment of the company's accounting and financial practices.Strengthening financial steeringThe assistance enabled OFRUTTI to strengthen its steering tools, particularly in cash-flow and stock management, budget planning and tax compliance. The company was also made aware of what financial institutions expect, and guided in understanding the key elements of a business plan, with a future funding application in mind.A roadmap to keep progressingBeyond the recommendations, a number of practical tools were made available to the company to help it steer its finances. By the end of the mission, OFRUTTI had a prioritised roadmap setting out short- and medium-term actions to continue structuring its financial management and better prepare its development projects. The practical, tailored approach of this support — built on an analysis of the company's own practices and data — made it possible to identify solutions directly applicable to its day-to-day realities.This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. 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 or the OACPS.
New EU rules on MOAH: a topic mobilising the global agri-food sector
In June, COLEAD, through AGRINFO, held two webinar sessions on the "New EU rules on maximum levels for mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH)", which brought together 1,134 participants from 87 countries. Veerle Vanheusden (European Commission) set out the content of the upcoming Regulation on MOAH, and food quality expert Claus-Michael Brieber (Food QSafety First) provided advice on strategies to mitigate the risk of MOAH contamination. What is it about?MOAH are contaminants derived from mineral oils that can find their way into food through multiple sources (lubricants, printing inks, packaging materials, harvesting and processing operations). In its 2023 scientific opinion, EFSA confirmed that food containing MOAH can damage DNA in cells and may cause cancer. The upcoming Regulation sets for the first time maximum levels (MLs) for MOAH in certain foods. Most MLs will apply from 1 January 2027, but for some MLs a later application date is foreseen.Which products and what implications?The new MLs concern a wide range of products: oilseeds and oil fruits, animal and vegetable fats and oils, tree nuts, pulses, cereals, milk, dairy products, cocoa beans, cocoa products, spices, dried herbs, dry tea and herbal infusions, food supplements, food additives, foods for infants and young children and for compound and processed food containing these ingredients. No maximum levels are set for fresh foods, such as fruits, vegetables meet and seafood. There is currently not sufficient data available to set maximum levels for processed foods, but EU competent authorities are recommended to investigate together with food operators foods that are found to exceed “indicative levels” that the Commission has recommended. All sectors are therefore advised to check for the presence of MOAH in their supply chains. Suppliers face two particular challenges. Firstly, MOAH contamination can come from multiple sources including the environment, agricultural machinery, food processing and packaging. Secondly, identifying sources of MOAH will require significant analysis of food, but there is currently limited laboratory capacity for testing MOAH outside the EU.Further information The webinar presentations, together with recordings in English, French and Spanish, are available on the AGRINFO Webinars page: https://agrinfo.eu/webinars/. French and Spanish translations of the presentations will be published shortly, along with a questions-and-answers document compiling the questions raised during the two sessions.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.