To extend the range of agrifood products intended for export, the food safety inspection system should be strengthened, said the director of the National Food Safety Agency Gheorghe Gaberi. In an interview for Radio Free Europe, the official stated that this system should be modernized and adjusted to the European requirements so as to ensure access to the EU market, IPN reports.
Gheorghe Gaberi said the National Food Safety Agency needs to be reorganized to meet the European standards. All the inspection procedures should be adjusted to the EU requirements and a network of internationally accredited labs should be created to ensure proper food safety control. The Agency’s personnel should be taught modern control methods and information systems should be implemented to substantially reduce the time needed to obtain required certificates for products intended for internal use and for export.
As to exports to Russia, Gheorghe Gaberi said there are restrictions on the export of apples, plums, wine and other products of vegetal origin. As regards animal products, there are companies that were authorized to export beef, mutton and milk products to Russia. “Our relations with the partners and colleagues from Russia advanced. We are waiting for several assessment missions to decide the procedures for supplying vegetal products, first of all fruit,” stated the official.
He added that five wine companies were inspected and the experts of Russia’s food safety watchdog Rospotrebnadzor remained satisfied with the safety level at Cricova, Chateau Vartely, MIMI, Lion Gri, and Moldiugvin. Most of the wine businesses lost their partners in Russia and start from zero. It will take time, but things will yet improve.
