Bolton Compliance Consultancy Group

Bolton Compliance Consultancy Group Bolton Compliance Consultancy Group is an international consulting company. We provide export market linkage opportunities to farmers.
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Bolton Compliance Consultancy Group is an accredited consulting company committed to providing capacity development for companies in Zimbabwe, Africa and globally in order to meet regulatory and private standards requirements in the food and agricultural sector. We have markets in the United Kingdom (UK) and South Africa. We also offer agricultural technical advisory and training services to equip

food and agricultural companies with the current knowledge and skills for them to become competitive internationally. We believe excellent compliance consulting and training through capacity development unlocks the potential of local, regional and international companies in the food and agricultural sector to meet compliance and regulatory requirements of certification schemes and global export markets respectively. We understand that advanced professional agronomy technical and training services are vital to improve the competitiveness, credibility and visibility of local food and agricultural companies on the global export market. We also distribute and market plant nutrition products such as Bio-stimulants, Organic Fertilizers, Biofertilizers, Biofungicides, Bioinsecticides and Bionematicides.

Happy Food Safety Day. This year's theme is "Food safety: science in action". 🔑 Key facts❎200 diseases 🦠 are caused by...
07/06/2025

Happy Food Safety Day. This year's theme is "Food safety: science in action".

🔑 Key facts

❎200 diseases 🦠 are caused by unsafe food, ranging from diarrhoea to cancers

❎1 600 000 people get sick 🤒 due to unsafe food every day, on average

❎US$ 110 billion 💵 annual economic burden of foodborne diseases in low- and middle-income countries

🧫Science is essential in driving food safety and helps us prevent food borne illnesses, reduce costs and save lives.

💡Remember food safety is everyone's business.

Citrus black spot – EU temporary measures on citrus fruit from certain countries 🍋🍊 🦠⚖️EU RegulationCommission Implement...
02/06/2025

Citrus black spot – EU temporary measures on citrus fruit from certain countries 🍋🍊 🦠

⚖️EU Regulation

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/505 of 19 March 2025 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/632 as regards the prolongation of the temporary measures concerning specified fruits originating in Argentina 🇦🇷, Brazil. 🇧🇷, South Africa 🇿🇦, Uruguay 🇺🇾 and Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union territory of the pest Phyllosticta citricarpa (McAlpine) Van der Aa 🦠

🟥Impacted products
Citrus fruits: oranges 🍊, lemons 🍋, limes, grapefruits, tangerines, mandarins and pummelos, kumquats, trifoliate orange, and hybrids

♻️What is changing?

🔴The European Union 🇪🇺 has extended the duration of temporary measures on citrus fruits to prevent the introduction of CBS into the EU.
🔴The temporary measures, introduced in Regulation 2022/632, were originally due to expire on 31 March 2025, and will now apply until 3️⃣1️⃣ March 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣8️⃣.

🤔Why?

🔴Since 2022, EU Member States 🇪🇺 have reported several cases of non-compliance ⚠️ in citrus imports from Argentina 🇦🇷, South Africa 🇿🇦, Uruguay 🇺🇾, and Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 due to the presence of CBS 🦠.

🔴There have been no citrus fruit imports to the EU from Brazil 🇧🇷 since the temporary measures were introduced, it is not possible to assess its compliance status.

🔴The EU has therefore extended the duration of control measures on citrus fruits 🍊🍋from these countries to ensure the phytosanitary risk ☣️ for the EU is maintained at an acceptable level, and until further technical and scientific 🧑🏾‍🔬 evaluations can be conducted.

🛡️What are the major implications for exporting countries?

🔴Argentina 🇦🇷, Brazil 🇧🇷, South Africa🇿🇦, Uruguay 🇺🇾, and Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 face stricter phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction of CBS into the EU.
🔴These include requirements for enhanced pest management practices 🚜, regular inspections 🔎, and robust certification processes 📑.
🔴Non-compliance can result in rejected shipments ⚠️🚢, financial losses 📉, and additional potential trade restrictions 🚧.

💡Recommended Actions

🏢National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) must work closely with stakeholders to ensure compliance with the additional CBS measures.
🔴Persistent non-compliance⚠️ can damage a country’s trade reputation and affect agricultural exports ⛔ more broadly.

Today is International Day of Plant Health 🟢Theme: The importance of plant health in One Health 💡Why is plant health so ...
12/05/2025

Today is International Day of Plant Health

🟢Theme: The importance of plant health in One Health

💡Why is plant health so important?

🟩Plant health plays a crucial role in global food security and safety 🌽, safe trade 🚛, and the environment 🌷, and it is interconnected with human 👫, animal 🐄 and environmental health 🌴.

🌱Plants account for 80% of what we eat 🥬🍊 and 98% of the oxygen 💨we breathe.

🟩Better plant health could help end hunger 🥣, alleviate poverty 😟, protect biodiversity🐦🌴, and boost economic development 📈💵.

Winter soup 🍲 loading in Madziva, Bindura, Zimbabwe. 🍅🌱Application of science driven tomato 🍅 nutrition together with a ...
01/04/2025

Winter soup 🍲 loading in Madziva, Bindura, Zimbabwe. 🍅🌱

Application of science driven tomato 🍅 nutrition together with a robust soil biology is essential to produce vigorous and healthy greenhouse tomatoes that are able to resist Insect-pests and diseases.

Kanjani Farm onion 🧅 crop looking healthy and vigorous as they implement a customized science driven plant nutrition and...
25/03/2025

Kanjani Farm onion 🧅 crop looking healthy and vigorous as they implement a customized science driven plant nutrition and a robust soil biology program.

The farm is located 📍in Parklands, Zimbabwe .

They specialize in onion 🧅, broccoli 🥦, cauliflower and fine beans production.

Berries post-harvest and cold chain management 🍓🫐1️⃣. Postharvest Handling🟩Berries should be field packed in punnets and...
17/02/2025

Berries post-harvest and cold chain management 🍓🫐

1️⃣. Postharvest Handling
🟩Berries should be field packed in punnets and placed in ventilated plastic crates
🚛Transport the fruit to the packing house as soon as possible after harvesting.
🟥Berries should be kept in the shade whilst awaiting transport to the packing house.

2️⃣. Upon arrive at the packing house
🟩Berries should be at least partially precooled to ~7️⃣°C by Forced Air Cooling with humidification to prevent produce dehydration.

3️⃣. Packing in Xtend®
🟩Pack at as low a temperature as feasibly possible. Avoid increasing temperature of partially cooled fruit.
🟩Place the Xtend® bag in the packing carton and spread it against the walls.
🟩Use well ventilated cartons with venting holes on all sides
🟩Insert punnets
🟩Evacuate excess air with hands
🟩Gather the edges of the bag and twist firmly.
🟩Fold over the twisted tip of the bag to form a “J”-like shape
🟩Apply a rubber band on the “J”-like twisted tip and seal tightly so that air will not escape from the bag

4️⃣. Cooling 🧊
🌬️Force-air cool to 0️⃣-1️⃣ °C. There is no need for humidification at this stage as the produce is sealed in bags which will prevent dehydration

5️⃣. Cold chain management
Maintain temperatures of 0️⃣-1️⃣ °C throughout the supply chain.

Credit: FreshPlaza

The correlation of soil degradation, soil mineral depletion and plummeting fruits, vegetables, nuts and grain nutrient d...
05/02/2025

The correlation of soil degradation, soil mineral depletion and plummeting fruits, vegetables, nuts and grain nutrient densities is alarming.

The destruction of soil biology 🦠 which is essential in mineralizing nutrients to become bioavailable to plants has been destroyed by industrial agriculture methods which rely mainly on a chemistry centric plant nutrition management.

In addition, the modern crop breeding methods have also concentrated on yield and appearance at the expense of nutrient diversity and density.

What is World Wetlands Day? 🏝️The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance was adopted in Ramsar 46 years ago,...
02/02/2025

What is World Wetlands Day? 🏝️

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance was adopted in Ramsar 46 years ago, on 2 February 1971. That date is now celebrated globally as World Wetlands Day.

The COP15 for Wetlands will be held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe from 23-31 July 2025. The signatory parties of the Convention on Wetlands will meet to agree a three-year plan for the conservation and defense of these valuable ecosystems.

Below are 1️⃣1️⃣ Reasons why wetlands are important:

1. Wetlands purify our water 💦
2. Wetlands store our water to ensure supply during dry periods 🏜️
3. Wetlands can prevent floods 🌊
4. Wetlands recharge ground water 💦
5. Wetlands help to control erosion 🏝️
6. Wetlands provide shelter for juvenile fish 🐟🐠
7. Wetlands provide homes for animals and plants 🌴🐘
8. Wetlands provide food for livestock 🐄
9. Wetlands protect biodiversity 🦠
10. Wetlands provide locations for recreation🏄🏾‍♂️
11. Wetlands provide plants that can be used for houses and crafts 🏠

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) enforcement postponed 🇪🇺⚖️🌳📆On 1️⃣7️⃣ and 1️⃣8️⃣ December 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️...
06/01/2025

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) enforcement postponed 🇪🇺⚖️🌳

📆On 1️⃣7️⃣ and 1️⃣8️⃣ December 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣, both the 🇪🇺 European Parliament and Council adopted the updated proposal to extend the enforcement date of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by one year.

🌲The EUDR, which has been EU law since 2️⃣9️⃣ June 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣, will now be enforced from 3️⃣0️⃣ December 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣, with most micro and small businesses given until 3️⃣0️⃣ June 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ to comply.

✍🏾Other elements of the agreement which were adopted, include a commitment by the Commission to publish a comprehensive list 📄 of 🟩low- and high-risk 🟥countries by 3️⃣0️⃣ June 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣.

🌳The EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) will be repealed as of 3️⃣0️⃣ December 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ (one year later than planned).

📝Timber products will transition to EUDR compliance from 3️⃣0️⃣ December 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣.

🟩EUTR provisions will remain for products harvested prior to 3️⃣0️⃣ June 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣, until 3️⃣1️⃣December 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣8️⃣.

🏢For Zimbabwean 🇿🇼 businesses, this extra year should be seen as a critical opportunity to refine their processes, improve data quality and strengthen due diligence systems.

Compliments of the season 🎊🎊🎊📆As the new year commences, I decided to draft some recommendations 📝to relevant authoritie...
03/01/2025

Compliments of the season 🎊🎊🎊

📆As the new year commences, I decided to draft some recommendations 📝to relevant authorities ⚖️and stakeholders 👨🏾‍💼that if implemented can boost the agricultural industry in Zimbabwe.

👇🏾Below are some key 🗝️ points:

👨🏾‍🌾Capacity building of organic smallholder producers to meet the new EU organic regulations transition period was applicable until 3️⃣1️⃣ December 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣ for operators in third countries (non-member countries of the EU).

🐝Capacity building of honey producers and the Veterinary Services of Zimbabwe Apiculture division to meet honey EU regulations ⚖️ and unlock the EU honey 🍯 market.

📈 Increase spice 🌶️ and herbs 🌿 production levels in order to become competitive on the EU market.

👨🏾‍🏫Development of a Nation Technical Working Group (NTWG) to develop our National Interpretation Guidelines 📙(NIGs) for the GLOBALG.A.P. Risk Assessment on Social Practice and GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) Standards.

✍🏾Adopt and implement the GLOBALG.A.P. localg.a.p. standard 📄for our local market by working together with all the relevant stakeholders in the horticultural industry.

Commence implementing measures to comply the EU Deforestation Regulation which has been postponed to 30 December 2025 and 30 June 2026 for large companies and SMEs respectively.

🔓Unlock alternative finance 💵 from other sources such as carbon finance, climate finance, nature finance among others rather than relying solely on banks 🏦

Licensing sweet potato varieties is a must for Egyptian exporters to enter Europe legally 🍠An insightful 💡 article writt...
19/12/2024

Licensing sweet potato varieties is a must for Egyptian exporters to enter Europe legally 🍠

An insightful 💡 article written 📝by Patrick FitzGerald is not only directed to the Egyptian 🇪🇬 sweet potato exporters but to Zimbabwean 🇿🇼 sweet potato producers who aspire to access the European Union (EU) 🇪🇺 sweet potato market. The EU enforces strict laws to protect plant breeders rights (PBR) as the varieties are the intellectual property of the sweet potato breeders.

Therefore, getting licensed to grow and export licensed sweet potato varieties such as Bellevue, Orleans, Evangeline, Evangeline, Vermillion and Burgundy developed by the Louisiana State University is mandatory as it not only opens access to the EU sweet potato market but also ensures the product gets to its destination without any EU customs and excise inspection issues.

📄Read more on: https://www.freshplaza.com/north-america/article/9689627/licensing-sweet-potato-varieties-is-a-must-for-egyptian-exporters-to-enter-europe-legally/

Credit: Freshplaza

💡Expert insights: common constraints in the African spice market 🌶️1️⃣ Financial Constraints💶Prefinancing total order (H...
19/12/2024

💡Expert insights: common constraints in the African spice market 🌶️

1️⃣ Financial Constraints

💶Prefinancing total order (How, Who, Costs)
🚛Costs of collection
⚙️Processing loss
📦Packing and labour 👷🏾‍♂️
📅Time span between signing contract📄and final payment 💶

2️⃣ Risks

🌶️Quality risks
📈Market fluctuations (Price, Availability, Competition)
🚢Shipping costs
🚫Rejection because of non-compliance
🌎Alternative destinations

3️⃣ Quality Systems

🌶️Quality of products (specifications) ++> Product
📄Certified quality system (Foundation FSSC 22000, IFS - International Featured Standards, or BRCGS) ++> Process, building, premises, and personnel
🟢Organic certification (supply base)
🌲Sustainability (buyers’ expectations towards suppliers’ behavior related to local environment)

Credit: CBI - Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries

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Harare

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Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00
Sunday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+263779579803

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Bolton Food Safety Consultants

Food safety is a global concern in the Food and Agriculture Industries to protect consumers from exposure to chemical pesticide residues, heavy metal poisoning and food borne diseases such as diarrhoea, Hepatitis A among others. International export markets require farms and food companies to be compliant with food and agriculture standards in order to guarantee consumers that they are purchasing safe and high quality food produced under Good Agricultural Practice (G.A.P) or Good Manufacturing Practice (G.M.P). Food safety standards certification is a prerequisite for any farm, food company to export farm produce or processed foods into high value markets such as the EU, Canada, USA, Australia etc and earn foreign currency.

Bolton Food Safety Consultants is a multinational company in Zimbabwe that offers consultation and compliance services in a wide range of food safety standards: ✅GLOBALG.A.P. ✅BRCGS ✅FSSC 22000 ✅ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System ✅ECOCERT ✅FAIRTRADE ✅Tesco Nurture ✅Zim Organic Who can be certified? ✅Farms ✅Food Retail Companies ✅Feed Manufacturing Companies ✅Catering Services Companies ✅Food Packaging Companies ✅Hotels ✅Nurseries

✅For all your consulting services Contact Bolton Kudzai Kakava (Farm Assurer) on +263779579803 (app/call)