Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture David Songulashvili meets with the staff of the National Food Agency’s Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Regional Office.

 Mr. David Songulashvili reviewed the activities, plans, and challenges of the National Food Agency in the fields of food safety, veterinary services, and plant protection while meeting with the regional staff.

During the meeting, the Minister emphasized the importance of each employee in ensuring the consumer market with safe food and their efforts within the entire food supply chain " from farm to fork" , including measures taken towards animal health and plant protection.

 

“Our priority is to ensure that the National Food Agency is represented across the regions as a high-standard institution that meets the needs of local communities and the demands of modern challenges. In recent years, substantial progress has been achieved in this direction, and we are committed to sustaining and advancing this momentum,” stated Mr. David Songulashvili.

 

Notably, Racha-Lechkhumi is one of the most promising regions from a veterinary perspective. Under the state program, vaccination efforts currently focus exclusively on rabies prevention. Simultaneously, continuous monitoring and control are carried out at agricultural markets, pre-school and school institutions, and food retail outlets. The region also has a modern standard-compliant slaughterhouse, with special attention paid to the inspection of meat and meat products.

 

In addition, plant protection activities are a key focus of the Agency carried out across the regions. Throughout the year, active monitoring and treatment against the Asian Stink Bug are conducted, with treated areas currently covering nearly 6,500 hectares.

 

Mr. Papuna Margvelidze, State Representative of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region; Mr. Gocha Enukidze, Member of Parliament representing the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region, and Mr. Giorgi Iakobashvili, Deputy Head of the National Food Agency, accompanied the Minister.