NAITS project Informational meetings were held in Shida and Kvemo Kartli regions
Monday, July 31
On 24-28 July, FAO and the National Food Agency (NFA) held a number of informational meetings on the new project “National Animal Identification and Traceability System” (NAITS) in the Shida and Kvemo Kartli regions. The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC).
During these meetings, FAO representatives introduced the recently launched NAITS programme to the local stakeholders: veterinarians, slaughterhouse owners, live animal collectors and large farmers. They highlighted that under the new programme, ear tagging of large and small ruminants will continue. Also, soon an electronic database will be implemented which will enable farmers and veterinary doctors to get information about an animal.
In addition, FAO and NFA representatives informed their audiences about legislation that will enter into force on 1 January 2018. According to the new law, slaughterhouses can no longer provide services to farmers who have untagged animals. Thus, every animal slaughtered in the slaughterhouse must have an ear tag.
Aleksandre Kashiashvili, the FAO animal health specialist for the NAITS project, said that this new regulation will strengthen the animal traceability process and improve the quality of meat products.
This project was implemented by FAO with the help of the National Food Agency (NFA). 5 mln. US dollars were earmarked by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) with Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) for successful implementation of the NAITS.
