By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a bid to enhance regulatory frameworks and promote sustainable practices within Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector, Solidaridad West Africa, in collaboration with the Produce Monitoring Board of Sierra Leone and Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH), successfully concluded a two-day stakeholder engagement meeting on the Sierra Leone Cocoa, Coffee, and Cashew (SLCC) Platform on Thursday, July 25, 2024. The event took place at Sierra Palms in Freetown, bringing together key stakeholders from both public and private sectors in the cocoa, coffee, and cashew industries.
During the meeting, Executive Chairman Dr. James Vibbi highlighted the importance of the discussions, which focused on relevant policies aimed at facilitating trade, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and addressing major trade facilitation issues within these sectors. He noted that the platform would also serve as a forum for discussing Agricultural Regulatory Reforms, specifically the Native Produce Rules outlined in Chapter 185 (Cap 185), which govern the inspection, storage, transportation, and grading of produce for export. Additionally, the meeting addressed the implications of the European Union Deforestation Regulations (EUDR).
Andrew Kojo Morrison, the Country Representative for Solidaridad in Sierra Leone, emphasized the significance of the gathering, stating, “This meeting is a crucial forum for stakeholders in the cocoa, coffee, and cashew industries to discuss pressing issues affecting these sectors.” He underscored the importance of these engagements in fostering collaboration and addressing industry challenges.
The event was co-organized by Solidaridad, the Produce Monitoring Board, and the Ministry of Agriculture. Morrison highlighted Solidaridad’s role as a civil society organization actively implementing projects in cocoa, coffee, and cashew sectors, primarily funded by the European Union. He stated, “We work closely with the PMB as the regulatory body and the Ministry of Agriculture, the mainline Ministry, to convene these important meetings.”
The agenda for the meeting included critical discussions on the EUDR and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (EU CSDDD). “These regulations are vital for the sustainability of our exports,” Morrison explained, stressing that the EUDR emphasizes the need for sustainable products in the European market. He urged stakeholders to align their practices with these standards to remain competitive.
Morrison further highlighted the importance of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which requires large companies to adhere to labor and environmental standards. “It is imperative for our companies to comply with these regulations to ensure sustainable corporate practices within the European Union,” he added.
The two-day meeting underscored the collaborative efforts of stakeholders in promoting sustainable practices and ensuring that Sierra Leone’s agricultural products meet international standards, ultimately paving the way for increased trade and economic growth in the sector.