The National Food Safety Agency received a donation of laboratory equipment to the value of €19,000 from the Government of Germany, IPN reports.

The equipment consists of 30 types of devices, including infrared thermometers for food products, rustproof instruments for performing inspections and taking samples and special protection equipment.

In the equipment handover ceremony, the Agency’s director general Gheorghe Gaberi said the equipment will be distributed to inspectors of the Agency’s local subdivisions and will contribute to improved activity. The German partners provided support also in the form of training for inspectors.

Germany’s Ambassador to Moldova Ulrike Knotz said the National Food Safety Agency is an important watchdog that monitors what keeps the people healthy. The people want to be sure that what they eat is healthy. “Besides national requirements, there are also international export requirements. Consumers in the European Union also want to be sure that the products from Moldova meet all the standards and conditions. The Federal Republic of Germany supports the Republic of Moldova in achieving this desideratum,” stated the diplomat.

Ulrike Knotz also said that the African swine fever epidemic witnessed last year showed how easily the contagious diseases cross borders and the Republic of Moldova should be prepared to cope with such problems. The inspectors should be trained, while the labs should be outfitted appropriately.  

The equipment was purchased with support from the Improving Food Safety in the Republic of Moldova Project that is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and is implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).