The visit of plant quarantine and plant protection specialists of the National Food Agency of Georgia to the State Plant Protection Service (VAAD) has started today (23.05.2022). Georgian colleagues will get acquainted with the structure of the VAAD, tasks, planning system for monitoring inspections, procedures for registration and circulation of plant protection products (PPP), monitoring and planning of plant pests, plant passport system, sampling and analysis of samples at the National Phytosanitary Laboratory.
"Close cooperation with the Georgian Ministry of Environment and Agriculture and the National Food Agency began earlier this year in the Twinning project. So far, there have been several visits of Latvian experts to Georgia. Now the first visit of Georgian specialists to Latvia is taking place, which is planned with a special emphasis on visits to farms and companies to show how our system works in practice. I hope that such an exchange of practical experience will provide an opportunity to improve national phytosanitary systems and be visible in the international market with high-quality plant products, ”says Vents Ezers, Director of VAAD.
During the week, field visits are planned, where experts will get acquainted with the work of the VAAD regional units, participate in plant sampling, visit cultivation farms and PPP sales points, where they will get acquainted with PPP accounting, storage and integrated plant protection. Georgian specialists will visit the Institute of Horticulture of the Latvia University of Agriculture, Pūre nursery "Gulbji", grain and mineral fertilizer trade company SIA "Elagro Trade", crop production company "ZS Veģi", SIA "Baltic Agro" and SIA "Rubuļi".
Under the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI), the VAAD is implementing a twinning project "Ensuring the Further Development of the SPS and Food Security System in Georgia" in cooperation with the Food and Veterinary Service, the Estonian Agriculture and Food Board and the Swedish Board of Agriculture in Georgia.
The aim of the project is to strengthen the capacity of public administration institutions by attracting experts from EU member states and establishing cooperation between countries, acquiring a functioning market economy and successfully competing in the EU market, maintaining consumer protection and achieving high food safety standards.