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Levan Davitashvili: "Tangible results seen due to proper policy and consistent steps taken in the field of agriculture and environmental protection "
The candidate for the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Levan Davitashvili delivered a speech at the joint sitting of the Parliamentary Sector Economy and Economic Policy, Agrarian Affairs, Environment and Natural Resources, Regional Policy and Self-Government and Finance and Budget Committees.
In his speech, the Ministerial candidate highlighted main directions of the policy of environmental protection and rural development. Levan Davitashvili underlined the importance of ensuring a sustainable and healthy environment in the country, improving environmental condition and restoring ecology, increasing competitiveness of the agri-food sector and ensuring stable growth of high-quality production, he also drew attention to the issues related to the food security, food safety and rural development.
‘’Tangible results seen due to proper policy and consistent steps taken in the field of agriculture and environmental protection . These are two very important directions for our country. Environmental requirements is our constitutional right and crucial for us, therefore, it doesn’t matter how big financial expenses envisaged in the field. Moreover, environmental policy considers following activities to fulfill, namely, in 2018, we adopted the National Environmental Action Program, this is the third "neapi", which defines main strategic directions and consolidates our international obligations, the EU agenda and our national interests and commitments taken under conventions .
Since 2018, new procedures for environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment have been introduced in Georgia, which has been an important step taken forward to improve an environmental policy and governance. We have already started environmental impact assessment, whereby, taking updated approaches, maximum public involvement is expressed and guaranteed by law.
We have very important plans in relation to the National Report on the State of the Environment for 2014-2017, furthermore, the national climate change document will be approved by 2021-2030. The integrated permit system for industrial sites to establish modern European emission standards is planned to be introduced in the country.
A unified national system will be established. We also plan to adopt a properly constituted new environmental liability law to prevent environmental problems facing the country, in accordance with the high principles. At the same time, we have significant plans concerning a number of environmental areas.
It should be noted, that a new draft law on water resources has already developed, introducing a water basin management system in the country. We hope that this bill will be approved by Parliament within a year. In addition, we have set up a new laboratory, that works on water and soil resources and has already received accreditation. At the same time, we expand the monitoring on surface and groundwater”Levan Davitashvili said.
In his speech, the Ministerial candidate focused on waste management policy as well.
“Georgia is one of those countries in the region that has banned the use of plastic bags. In many European countries, this regulation is planned to be implemented this year or next year. With the new regulation, we have been able to reduce the use of plastics in the country. This has actually created a new consumer behavior, hundreds of cellophane bags were consumed in Georgia over the years, while its number doesn’t exceed 10-15 in Europe.
We should outline the importance of new regulations introduced in the waste management policy, including an introduction of extended producer responsibility. It is noteworthy, that a new draft law on waste, import, export and transit is planned to be developed ” Levan Davitashvili said.
As Levan Davitashvili stated in his speech, in 2018, large scale research was launched in Georgia to determine lead content in ambient air in Tbilisi.
In addition, in 2018-2019 surveys conducted in 200 locations across the country, including schools and kindergartens showed, that lead content meets the applicable norms in the country.
In 2018, a modern lab for atmospheric air, water and soil analysis was opened. The European standards for ambient air quality were introduced, the network for monitoring ambient air quality was updated.
According to the Ministerial Candidate, in addition to lead monitoring in the air, in 2018, due to the high interest of the population, state control for lead content in petrol was intensified. In 2018, up to 250 fuel samples were taken at 143 petrol stations. No lead was detected in any of the samples. The ambient air quality portal - air.gov.ge has been set up to inform the public about the state of the air quality throughout the country.
As Levan Davitashvili noted, the monitoring system is neccessary to have clean air and identify sources of pollution. The sanctions will be tightened on air pollution from industrial sites and a new ambient air quality management system will be introduced. In addition, European emission standards for vehicles will be established, an atmospheric air quality modeling system will be introduced and an ambient air quality monitoring network will be further expanded .