ABU DHABI // Food safety was at the top of the agenda during a recent field visit to the Mazyad and Khatam Al Shukla border posts by representatives of the Ministry of Environment.
MoE undersecretary Abdel Al Hammadi travelled to the border crossing to inspect the actions and procedures carried out when animal and agricultural consignments enter the country.
The ministry said the visit aimed to achieve its strategic objectives to promote food safety and sustainability of domestic production and at the same time prevent agricultural pests and infectious animal diseases.
The Mazyad and Khatam Al Shukla areas are two of the UAE’s major border posts where the ministry is continuously working to ensure the smooth flow of imports and exports of animal and agricultural consignments, Mr Al Hammadi said.
The ministry has designated qualified veterinarians and agricultural engineers at the border along with supporting technical systems to establish electronic connections between border posts and central laboratories to speed up the process of obtaining laboratory test results and shorten the time of service provision. In addition, the ministry has facilitated more flexible delivery of services to meet the expected increase in the number of animals during the festive season of Eid Al Adha.
The ministry only allows imports from countries free of epidemic and infectious diseases and those that strictly comply with international standards for animal health and veterinary quarantine measures.
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