SEMINAR ON FOOD SAFETY AND PESTICIDE RELATED ISSUES
armradio.am
17.11.2009 10:44
Within the framework of its recently launched project "Support for
Pesticide Quality Control and Residue Monitoring in Armenia", the UN
Food and Agriculture Organization, in cooperation with the Ministry of
Agriculture of Armenia, organized a one-day seminar in Yerevan today.
Representatives from public, private and non-profit sectors discussed
current situation and prospects of pesticide quality control and
residue monitoring in Armenia and examined the steps that could
lead to the resolution of the problems in this area as well as the
contribution of the UN FAO.
One of the main objectives of the project is to enable Armenia to
improve the quality control of pesticide products in line with the
international standards and to carry out pesticide residue monitoring
programmes in order to increase food safety, improve the quality of
agricultural products and open new opportunities in food trade.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Mr. Levon Rukhkyan stressed, "I find
this project highly important for our country and I hope that the
results of this discussion will become a significant milestone in
the implementation of the project."
The Greek Ambassador, Mr. Ioannis Korinthios, in his speech said
that the priority in development assistance is in the agricultural
sector, and Greece is currently sponsoring two projects through FAO,
with a total budget of 3.600.000 USD and three other complementary
projects of 1.400.000 USD. The program on the pesticides will protect
the health of the farmers and consumers, and will contribute to the
economic development of Armenia.
"Establishing high-tech laboratories under local conditions will
be a demanding task requiring not only suitable laboratory premises
and expensive equipment but also highly qualified staff and a proper
operational budget to guarantee sustainability", said Mr. Klaus Ziller,
the UN FAO Chief Technical Adviser.
This two million US dollars project is fully sponsored by the Greek
Government and is implemented by UN FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture
over a period of three years.