Awareness Seminar for Sri Lanka’s Agricultural and Food Export Sectors

14-Oct-2026

.

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Belgium, accredited to the European Union (EU), conducted an awareness seminar last week for public- and private-sector stakeholders in Sri Lanka’s agricultural and food export sectors.

On October 6, the Embassy, in collaboration with Sri Lanka’s Department of Commerce and an EU-funded project implemented by a committee concerned with the coordination of entrepreneurship, agriculture and development, conducted the online seminar for stakeholders in the country’s agricultural and food export sectors. The name of the project is unclear in the source text.

The discussions focused on recent changes to the European Union’s pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) regulations and their potential impact on Sri Lanka’s agricultural and food exports.

The online seminar commenced with opening remarks by Sri Lankan Ambassador to the European Union Chandana Weerasinghe and Director-General of Commerce Somasena Mahadiulwewa. They emphasised the importance of keeping Sri Lankan exporters informed about the EU’s evolving regulatory requirements and strengthening efforts to maintain continued access to the European market.

Particular attention was given to discussions on possible new EU rules concerning pesticide maximum residue levels in imported products in 2026. The seminar covered the reasons behind the discussions, proposals under consideration, anticipated timelines and the potential implications for Sri Lankan exporters.