Manama, Nov. 17 (BNA): Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, Wael bin Nasser Al-Mubarak, and Minister of Health, Dr. Jalila bint Sayed Jawad Hassan, today visited the National Center for Agricultural Laboratories in Hoora A’ali.
During the visit, a group of Ministry of Health officials were taken on a tour of the center, where they were briefed on its departments and tasks.
Al-Mubarak highlighted the importance of the work of the National Center for Agricultural Laboratories for the Food Industry and its safety, in line with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the follow-up of His Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad. Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to promote food security and its sustainability in the Kingdom.
The minister explained that the ministry is currently working on building national capacities to further align the center’s work with international standards, adding that the ministry is currently cooperating with the World Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development for training. Bahrainis in laboratory work and sustainable development.
He said that the presence of a central laboratory will contribute to diagnosing diseases, whether agricultural or animal, ensuring the efficiency of immunization programs, conducting field and laboratory epidemiological investigations, in addition to developing plans to prevent and control epidemic diseases.
The minister explained that the goals of the center include providing testing services to cover market needs and developing technologies used to examine animal food products, as well as obtaining an ISO certificate. He said that agricultural laboratories will work to provide services to farmers and breeders to ensure the safety and quality of their products. The laboratories will also improve services provided to importers of fresh food and livestock to ensure that imports comply with local and international trade organization regulations and international agreements.
The Minister of Health praised the level of work of the National Center for Agricultural Laboratories, stressing the importance of continuing to strengthen laboratory cooperation and pharmacological work between the two ministries, to ensure the safety of food products and promote public health.
YKR