Upon opening the consultative meeting on this plan, Adugna Debela, Director-General for Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, explained that adapting to the EU regulation is essential as exporting local coffee beans to EU member countries accounts for about 30 percent.

According to Debela, the regulation provides an opportunity to review policies and bring them with other international rules, strengthen organizational structures, and bean production’s sustainable system, among other aspects.

He stressed that the regulation also provides additional impetus and is an opportunity to continue the country’s Green Legacy Initiative. This reforestation program has been successfully implemented over the last five years.

The national action plan, which will be discussed in collaboration with the Ministries of Finance and Agriculture, aims to raise awareness among stakeholders along the value chain to work together.

jrr/iff/jha/nmr