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David Songulashvili: “Food safety, veterinary care, and plant protection are the key areas that play a decisive role in ensuring the health and well-being of our population.”
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. David Songulashvili, met with the staff of the National Food Agency's regional office in the Kvemo Kartli region. The Minister received an update on the current situation regarding food safety, veterinary services, and plant protection.
Minister Songulashvili emphasized the importance of the efficient functioning of the Agency's regional services.
"Food safety, veterinary care, and plant protection are the key areas that play a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of our population. Accordingly, the efficient functioning of the National Food Agency is our priority. Infrastructure, access to relevant services, and professional staff create the opportunity for the population to receive the necessary assistance. Additionally, this enables us to conduct regular inspections on products in the market, carry out animal vaccinations, monitor the quality of pesticides and agrochemicals, and implement measures to combat quarantine pests. Ultimately, all of these efforts are essential for supporting production, ensuring the quality of agro-products, and ultimately safeguarding the well-being of our population,” stated Mr. David Songulashvili.
The Head of the National Food Agency, Mr. Zurab Chekurashvili, stated that the infrastructure projects carried out with the support of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture have significantly strengthened the capabilities of the Agency’s regional services and improved the overall quality of its services.
“Three biosecurity points for animal transit are functioning in the region, specifically in Rustavi, Marneuli, and Bolnisi municipalities, providing free services to animal owners. Additionally, free animal vaccinations are conducted for six diseases.
The animal identification and registration program is being implemented to ensure health control, registration, and traceability of animal-origin food products. Moreover, we continue to prioritize the inspection of food blocks in kindergartens and schools, meat and cheese sales outlets, and slaughterhouses in the region. Additionally, the collection of samples from milk, fish, semi-finished products, and water, followed by laboratory testing, remains a core focus.
The installation of pheromone traps continues to detect quarantine pests. Additionally, the registration and inspection of pesticide and agrochemical sales outlets, as well as the collection of samples for laboratory testing and analysis, are ongoing. These activities are underway in all seven municipalities of the region,” stated Mr. Zurab Chekurashvili.
The Deputy Minister, Mr. Kakha Kakabadze, and the State Representative in the Kvemo Kartli region, Mr. Levan Kharabadze, accompanied the Minister.