BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 6. A new program project
is being developed in the field of food safety in Azerbaijan,
Deputy Chairperson of the Food Safety Agency Zakiyya Mustafayeva
said at the 5th Agribusiness Development Forum held within the
framework of the Caspian Agro Week in Baku, Trend reports.


According to her, currently, Azerbaijani products are exported
to 73 countries around the world, which is a real result of the
work done.


She noted that Azerbaijan's status as free from highly
pathogenic avian influenza, African swine fever, rabies, and
African horse sickness has been confirmed by the World Organization
for Animal Health.


"The achievement of disease-free status creates new
opportunities for the export of animals and animal products. Last
year, poultry, aquaculture, dairy products, as well as eggs for
consumption and breeding were exported to a number of countries,"
she pointed out.


Mustafayeva particularly emphasized the expansion of cooperation
with China.


"Important steps have been taken towards access to China, one of
the world's largest markets. This year, appropriate permits have
been obtained for the export of hazelnut and almond products," the
official explained.


According to her, a record amount of dates was exported last
year, and a total of 914,000 tons of crop products were exported to
foreign markets.


The deputy chairperson noted that cooperation with markets with
high demands, such as the United Arab Emirates, is also
expanding.







"This year, veterinary certificates for meat, milk, seafood,
honey, and beekeeping products have been agreed," Mustafayeva
underscored.


She noted that the state program in the field of food security
in the country for 2019-2025 has been successfully completed, and a
new program draft is being prepared.


The official also pointed out that the new draft laws "On plant
health" and "On animal health" are undergoing relevant state
procedures.


Mustafayeva added that important work is also being done to
neutralize unusable pesticides.


"A total of 1,351 tons of pesticides and contaminated soil
collected from the Aghstafa, Beylagan, Samukh, Imishli, and Fuzuli
districts were transported to the Jeyranchol landfill and
neutralized," she concluded.


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