David Songulashvili: “Our goal is to enable fish farmers to access internationally standardized testing locally.”

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. David Songulashvili, visited the Batumi branch of the State Laboratory of Agriculture, where he inspected the modern, well-equipped infrastructure and met with the laboratory staff. The Batumi Laboratory primarily focuses on the diagnosis of fish diseases.

 

“Our goal is to strengthen laboratory capacities, adopt innovative research methods, and further improve service quality, all of which will support the development of safe and high-quality agricultural production both regionally and nationwide.

 

Enhancing laboratory diagnostic capabilities for fish diseases across Georgia is particularly important for the development of aquaculture.

 

As part of the ongoing process of aligning with EU legislation, new research methods are being actively introduced in the country. Our main objective is to give fish farmers the opportunity to access internationally standardized testing locally,” stated Mr. David Songulashvili, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.

 

The Director of the State Laboratory of Agriculture, Mr. Irakli Guledani, briefed the Minister on the laboratory’s research initiatives in the field of fish disease diagnostics. The laboratory is actively engaged in meetings and scientific activities aimed at ensuring the timely diagnosis and prevention of fish diseases.

 

Minister Songulashvili also visited the new building of the Adjara Regional Department of the National Food Agency in Kobuleti. During his meeting with the staff, the Minister emphasized the importance of providing employees in the regions with appropriate working conditions and infrastructure, which, he noted, will significantly enhance the efficiency of their work.

 

The growing number of tourists in Adjara throughout the year is clearly noticeable. To ensure the supply of safe food for both the local population and visitors, the measures implemented by the National Food Agency in the areas of food safety, animal health, and plant pest and disease control are of great importance.

 

The Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Mr. Denis Salukvadze, and Deputies of the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Zurab Ezugbaia and Mr. Kakha Kakabadze.