An Agrarian Committee meeting led by Chairman Mr. Otar Danelia was held in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region. The field visit was supported by European Union in a close partnership with FAO under European Neighborhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD).

At the Committee meeting Nodar Kereselidze, First Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA), presented information about the implementation of the 2017-2020 Strategy plan for Rural Development.

According to the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Otar Danelia, special attention was paid to the activities addressing the issue of BMSB  in western Georgia during the meeting.

“During the committee meeting we discussed  specific measures to be taken against BMSB. At this stage, all technical means are available to fight pests.  Since the pest spread area has increased, more than 150 units of appropriate machinery have been mobilized,” Danelia said.

As the Chairman of the  Agrarian Committee noted, the fight against BMSB is currently in the monitoring phase. Pheromones will be installed in the villages, and with the increase of temperature the staff will respond accordingly.

“It is important to involve local authorities to ensure efficient communication with the local population and farmers and to coordinate all activities,” Danelia said.

Mr. Zurab Lipartia, the deputy head of the National Food Agency, answered the questions from the MPs at the Committee meeting.

During the meeting, a report on the information and consulting regional centers  was heard. The report was presented to the lawmakers by the Head of the Regional Coordination Department of the MEPA, Mr. Shalva Kereselidze.

The committee members held an extended meeting at the BMSB fighting coordination center  in Abasha Municipality, where lawmakers were acquainted with the anti-pest activities.

Local authorities of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region also attended the meeting as well.