FAO and the National Food Agency (NFA) held a number of informational meetings on the new National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS) in the Kakheti region from 10 to 14 July.  

During the meetings, FAO representatives introduced the recently launched NAITS programme to the local stakeholders: veterinarians, slaughterhouse owners, live animal collectors and large farmers. They highlighted that under the new programme, ear tagging of large and small ruminants will continue. Also, soon an electronic database will be implemented which will enable farmers and veterinary doctors to get information about an animal.

In addition, FAO and NFA representatives informed their audiences about legislation that will enter into force on 1 January 2018. According to the new law, slaughterhouses can no longer provide services to farmers who have untagged animals. Thus, every animal slaughtered in the slaughterhouse must have an ear tag.   

Mikheil Sokhadze, the FAO national team leader for the NAITS project, said that this new regulation will strengthen the animal traceability process and improve the quality of meat products.

The vice deputy of food safety department, Paata Kurdadze, noted that the law will support the process of identification and traceability of animals, improving food safety standards as well as the protection of customer’s rights.      

This project was implemented by FAO with the help of the National Food Agency (NFA). It is funded and supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Austrian Development Agency.