Georgian regulatory bodies participated in the Strategic Workshop focused on the outcomes of the FAO/WHO Food Control System Assessment. The World and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) hosted the workshop as part of the ENPARD IV program, funded by the European Union (EU) and Sweden.

Throughout the three-day strategic workshop, attendees were briefed on and engaged in discussions regarding the primary findings and recommendations stemming from the National Food Control System Assessment. Subsequently, participants worked on addressing these recommendations with activities which would sustainably guarantee the protection of consumers’ health. 

The preparation of the National Food Control System Assessment using the FAO/WHO tool started in 2023 with the support of the FAO under the EU- and Sweden-funded ENPARD IV. Competent authorities, relevant ministerial departments, as well as other key stakeholders were actively engaged in this process. As outlined in the FAO/WHO methodology, focal points nominated by all competent authorities took part in the assessment process. Through active collaboration with the assessment team, they collected information by utilising an existing questionnaire in compliance with set criteria and shared it with the assessment team for analysis.

The Assessment outlines the significant progress that Georgia has made in advancing the national food control system. The country has established a comprehensive foundation for food control, demonstrating a structured approach to domestic controls and import/export regulations. It also outlines some of the key areas for improvement, including risk-based inspections, food safety emergency planning, and the utilisation of scientific information, especially for risk assessments performed independently to provide risk management recommendations to the competent authorities and the Food Business Operators, primarily responsible for ensuring the safety of their products.  

“The Food Control System Assessment serves as a guideline to advance Georgia’s food system, making safe food more accessible to the country’s consumers while increasing the competitiveness of the national agriculture sector. Utilising the assessment for evidence-based decision-making is a multistakeholder effort, and FAO supports such approach geared at developing the document, as well as ensuring impactful results for the improvement of the National Food Safety Strategy,” says Guido Agostinucci, FAO Programme Manager.

“With the Assessment, we now have a clearer outline of the strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in the national food system’s performance. The FAO/WHO tool has been instrumental in creating such an essential insight, allowing for tailor-made recommendations and informed decision-making for a progressive compliance with the EU and international food safety acquis, increasing Georgian consumers’ protection,” said Denis Reiss, Programme Officer for Sustainable Food Systems at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia.

“The FAO/WHO assessment instrument has made conducting a comprehensive analysis of Georgia’s food control system possible. On the one hand, the assessment showcases the progress made during the past years, while, on the other hand, it has identified the need for development, which is essential for improving the effectiveness of the food control system in the country. The assessment represents a great opportunity for ensuring successful further development of the system,” says Jumber Maruashvili, FAO Senior Policy Advisor.

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About the European Union

For more than 30 years, the European Union has built a close partnership with Georgia, supporting its development through knowledge and experience sharing, expertise, innovation and financial support. The relationship between the EU and the citizens of Georgia is based on shared values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights and inclusive economic growth. More about the EU’s support in Georgiahttps://eu4georgia.eu/the-european-union-in-georgia/ 

About ENPARD

The European Union supports rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Aiming to reduce rural poverty, ENPARD has been implemented since 2013. The Programme started by supporting the development of national agriculture potential. Subsequently, it also concentrated on creating economic opportunities for rural populations in Georgia. Since 2021, the Programme has also been working on improving food safety in the country, with additional support from Sweden and with FAO and the Czech Development Agency as the main implementers of this food safety component under ENPARD IV.