European Union initiates technical support to Colombian agricultural producers

Environmental programs have been intensifying in Colombia following the announcements by the European Union (EU) on its sustainable policies and requirements in the country’s agro-industrial sector.

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The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, through ProColombia, reported that it will receive technical assistance from the Al-Invest Verde program, financed by the EU, so that Colombian entrepreneurs and agricultural producers implement the requirements of the Green Pact for the export of national products.

It should be noted that among the requirements of the sustainable agreement are the intensive agricultural and livestock production systems that “they generate negative externalities, the increase in deforestation, the reduction of biodiversity and land grabbing, etc.”

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Assistance will be through Component 2 of the Al-Invest Verde programto the public sector, through the preparation of a diagnostic study on the characteristics of the agro-industrial sectors and products, as well as the conditions for compliance with regulations and the sustainability standards required to export.

Bearing in mind that the European Union is Colombia’s second largest trading partner and the main exporter of agricultural products, the Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, Luis Felipe Quintero, stated that Colombian products will have a significant challenge to comply with European standards.

“The challenges posed by the program are very difficult and Colombia is probably not going to be able to do this alone. There is a need for laboratories. Also issues such as traceability and compliance with deforestation standards”, said.

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In turn, the ambassador of the European Union in Colombia, Gilles Bertrand, assured that the intention is to “to green up” trade with a shared will between European markets and citizens.

“What I want to highlight is our total availability to work with the Colombian authorities to achieve this transition (…) The objectives have led us to decide on regulations that will come into force gradually. At the beginning of 2025, the deforestation-free chains will be applied”, explained.

However, One of the concerns is the high costs of sustainability and how it can affect small Colombian producers.

Faced with this, Juliana Villegas, vice president of exports of ProColombia, indicated that the Colombian agro-export fabric is small producers, so the EU programs are unified with the country’s countryside.

“Here we are from small plots. We like that because we are exclusive, our coffees are special because they come from unique places and that is why our campaign is the origin and the origin does not repeat itself”, Villegas stated.

It should be noted that Colombia’s main trading partners in the EU are the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, among others.

According to figures from ProColombia, from January to February 2023, exports to the old continent total US$285.8 million, however, these have fallen by 32.7%, compared to the same period of the previous year.

DIANA K. RODRIGUEZ T.
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