Nino Tandilashvili attends ENPARD Project Meeting

Georgia: Nino Tandilashvili attended the ENPARD project “Support of food safety and sanitary and phytosanitary sector in Georgia” Steering Committee meeting.

First Deputy Minister of Environment and Agriculture Nino Tandilashvili opened the meeting of the Steering Committee of the Project “Food Safety and Support of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Sector in Georgia” under the EU Program – “European Neighborhood Program for Agriculture and Rural Development” (ENPARD) with a welcome speech.

Nino Tandilashvili thanked the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for organizing the meeting and focused on the importance of the project.

Minister Nino Tandilashvili said, “I would like to thank the EU for its constant support for many years of rural and agricultural development and environmental protection in Georgia. Within the framework of the ENPARD program, several important initiatives aimed at improving and strengthening our country have been implemented.”

“The current program, which serves to develop the food safety, sanitary and phytosanitary sectors in the country, is essential for the effective and timely implementation of the shortcomings. “To implement the recommendations, we have complex work ahead; therefore, it is essential to continue the support of the European Union”, – noted Nino Tandilashvili.

According to the statement of the Representative of the European Union Delegation to Georgia, Sustainable Food Systems Program Officer Denis Reis, the project is complex, and its effective implementation will significantly contribute to the implementation of recommendations.

During the meeting, program achievements and plans were discussed. The talks touched upon the effective enforcement of food safety legislation close to EU standards and the importance of increasing the number of inspections and the quality index. It noted that food security systems have been improved, which will increase the country’s export capabilities.

According to the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Georgia, Raymond Yele, in case of maximum coordination, the results of the project will be of special importance to Georgia.

Representatives of the Swedish Embassy and the Czech Development Agency (CzDA) attended the event, along with the heads of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture and the relevant agencies within the Ministry’s system.