29 July 2022

Irish plant health expert, Gabriel Roe returned to Tirana this week to continue delivery of training on elements of Plant Health Law. This time round Mr. Roe presented information on ‘regulated non-quarantine pests’ to representatives from the National Authority of Veterinary and Plant Protection (AKVMB), the National Food Authority (AKU), the Food Safety and Veterinary Institute (ISUV) and the State Entity for Seeds and Seedlings (ESHFF). Visits to two operators whose business includes propagating plants - Agro Korani and Lisar Seedlings also took place.

During the week Mr. Roe also met with representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Tourism and Environment and the Faculty of Forestry in the Agriculture University of Tirana to discuss plant pest surveys from the perspective of planted material in forests and public spaces.

Other meetings took place with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and agencies to progress the legal framework of implementation of EU plant health law in Albania.

Funded by the European Union, the project "Support for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Standards" is being implemented by a group led by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). The implementing group also includes the Finnish Food Authority, the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Creative Business Solutions (CBS) in Albania.