How to access PIP Phase 2 support? Launch Event in Ghana – 27 May 2010

On 27 of May 2010, an event will be held at the Airport West Hotel (Accra), to mark the launch of the second phase of the PIP. The workshop will be an opportunity for the PIP team to meet with representatives of the Ghanaian fruit and vegetable sector, and to respond to key questions: How can companies exporting to the European market deal with the new challenges facing them such as food safety, ethical trade, fair trade, the environment, etc.? What types of activity are covered by PIP Phase 2? Who can benefit from the Programme, and how? These are just some of the issues that will be addressed during the workshop.

PIP is a cooperation programme financed by the European Union and working to support the horticultural sector. It was implemented at the request of the African – Caribbean – Pacific (ACP) Group of States and is managed by COLEACP, an inter-professional association that represents and defends the collective interests of ACP producers/exporters and EU importers of fruit, vegetables, flowers and plants.

The first phase of PIP ran from 2001 to 2009 at a time when food safety regulations in the EU were overhauled. The EU is a key outlet for Ghanaian horticultural exports and suppliers needed to make a number of adjustments if they were to keep their foothold in the market. PIP was set up to help producers and exporters make the necessary adaptations such as installing traceability and food hygiene systems, and staff training. Assistance was also given to local service providers to create a competent and recognised ACP expertise in food safety. PIP particularly focused on supporting the smaller players, such as smallholder growers, who were facing greatest challenges.

By 2009, PIP provided support in 28 ACP countries covering 80% of produce exported from the ACP to EU countries. Local service providers trained by PIP had largely (>80%) replaced EU expertise in the delivery of technical assistance to producers and exporters. In Ghana 42 companies and support structures benefited from the programme.

The first phase of PIP was recognised to be a real technical assistance success story. Nevertheless, by the end of the programme, the horticultural industry was facing new challenges. There are new official regulations, but on top of this suppliers must meet ever increasing demands from their EU buyers. Besides, EU consumers and retailers are increasingly interested in schemes that demonstrate fair and ethical trade as well as respect for the environment. Producers and exporters in Ghana again must adapt if they are to keep up with these new requirements.

The considerable progress made in improving horticultural production for export should also benefit and be a factor in the modernisation of horticulture producing for the African market. The Dissemination of knowledge and skills on aspects such as Good Agricultural Practices and food safety will therefore be a priority.

In recognition of all this, and to help ACP countries maintain access to EU markets, PIP has been granted a second phase that will run from 2009-2014.

At the launch event on 27 of May at the Airport West Hotel (Accra), the PIP team will host a meeting for invited guests that include partners and potential programme beneficiaries – notably horticultural producers and exporters as well as local service providers. Presentations will be given outlining the scope of PIP activities, and participants will learn how to access support as well as having the opportunity to ask questions and meet the PIP team.

Brussels, May 12th 2010

Press contact: PIPGhana@coleacp.org and eo_owusu@hotmail.com

Press conference : May 27th 2010 at the Airport West Hotel (12:45-1:15 pm)