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First joint workshop between a private Syrian company and the European Commission

Global Arab Network - - George Haddad

Thursday, 30 July 2009 10:43

Over 200 Syrian high ranking officials, food business operators, and other food safety experts attended the first joint workshop between a private Syrian company and the European Commission on 29 July, in the Four Seasons Hotel, Damascus. Under the patronage of Vice Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdallah Al DARDARI, and in the presence of Vassilis BONTOSOGLOU Head of the European Commission Delegation to Syria, the workshop focused on food safety and regulations for trade in meat products. It was organised and financed by the Technical Company for Food Industries-Amana Foods (Hana, Bavaria).

"It is encouraging to witness this Syrian company's initiative to advance its sector and the Syrian economy in general", Ambassador BONTOSOGLOU pointed to the pioneering nature of the event. Al DARDARI emphasised the initiative as a positive example of private-public partnership: "civil society and the private sector CAN take initiatives, be active and be supported by the government."

Food safety and meat trade regulations affect everybody. They ensure that Syrian citizens receive high quality food; that the environment is spared harm from food production; and that Syrian food exporters increase their competitiveness. "In particular in today's financial crisis, it is our job and duty to enable access of our products in international markets", al DARDARI spoke of the Syrian government's responsibility and interest to support trade. General Manager of Amana foods, Samer Derawan, focused on the Syrian consumers, whose rapid growth is increasing demand for meat in Syria. He also made the link to the environment, describing how a lack of rain was affecting livestock and leading to an increase in prices. Ambassador BONTOSOGLOU concluded: "This subject is in the interest of producers and consumers, of Syrians and Europeans."

The workshop, entitled "TOWARDS ENRICHING THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT, REGULATING TRADE IN MEAT PRODUCTS, A SYRIA-EU COMPARATIVE STUDY", primarily addressed food producers and exporters, and focused on best practices in food safety and on meat trade requirements. Syrian and EU food experts described their respective food safety and livestock health regulations, and related control mechanisms.

Having prepared the new European hygiene law applied in all 27 European Member States since 1 January 2006, Mr. Ron Dwinger of the Dutch Executive Agency for Food Inspection, is best-placed to describe the European food terrain. He focused on two new points introduced through the law: responsibility and all-inclusiveness. All food and all steps of the food process, covering production, processing, distribution and export, are concerned by the 2004 European Commission regulation (number 852). The law concerns all aspects of food processing from the layout of a production facility, the hygiene of food business employees, to quality of water used and pest control measures. Food business operators, which apart from farmers and processing plants include caterers, restaurants and shop owners, must know where their products are coming from (raw materials) and where it is going (how exactly it will be sold).

Dr. Jacky Le Gosles, European Commission senior advisor on animal health, exchanged insights with Syrian professors, General Managers and Directors and presidents of relevant associations on how to best ensure high quality and health standards in livestock.

Both experts stressed the importance of having high level institutions in charge of food safety and inspection. The international best practice is to have one single authority in charge of this important task. Alternatively several institutions can be involved provided that the coordination between them is strong and clear.

Global Arab Network

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