With the support of the European Union, a public meeting was held on the topic of food safety

In Lunchkhuti town on August 11, 2023 - in the framework of the ongoing project "Increased Agricultural Practices and Consumer Awareness" with the support of the European Union was privided the public meeting in hall of Lanckhuti Municilpal Council. The meeting was organized by the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) and "Georgian Rural Council" (GRC). The main theme of meting was "State control of food safety in Georgia".

The purpose of the meeting was to inform citizens about the ongoing reforms and state control in the field of food safety in the country and to promote dialogue between representatives of public agencies and citizens.

Within the framework of the meeting, the representatives of the National Food Agency presented the activities of the agency, the challenges before it and the news in the field of food safety. The guests had the opportunity to participate in the discussion that took place after the presentation. At the meeting, the importance of citizens' activity for the establishment of an effective food safety system in the country was emphasized, and the possibilities of cooperation between the National Food Agency and citizens were discussed.

Representatives of local government, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, media and business sector attended the event.

"In recent years, the state control of food safety in Georgia has increased significantly. Nevertheless, a number of systemic problems remain unsolved. In order to establish an effective food safety system in the country, it is necessary to raise public awareness and increase participation in these issues. Our today's meeting serves precisely these goals. Many thanks to the European Union for supporting our initiatives and, most importantly, for taking care of the improvement of the food safety situation in Georgia" - said Vakhtang Kobaladze, coordinator of CSRDG's consumer rights protection program.

The event was held within the framework of the fourth phase (ENPARD IV) of the European Union programm "European Neighborhood Program for Agriculture and Rural Development" (ENPARD - Georgia), as well as the project "Increased agricultural practices and consumer awareness" funded by the "Bread of the World" organization (Germany).

within The project is implemented by a coalition, which includes the Association of Farmers of Georgia (the lead partner), the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia, and the Association of Farmers and Beekeepers of the Ambrolauri district of the mountainous regions of Georgia.

The project should increase the knowledge of entrepreneurs, consumers, civil society groups and the media about food safety regulatory requirements and improve stakeholder communication and participation in the ongoing food safety reform process.