His Excellency Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment visited a number of border port crossings in the UAE, livestock markets and abattoirs. The visits came ahead of the Eid Al Adha celebrations which witness an influx of live animals such as cows, sheep and goats.
During his visits he ensured that the crossings are implementing the inspection regulations that pertain to the importation of live animals. Dr. Al Zeyoudi stressed that there will be no shortage of live animals during Eid Al Adha.
He was joined by Sultan Al Hebsi, Assistant Undersecretary of External Audit at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Dr. Saad Al Numairy, Environmental Advisor at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. They visited the veterinarian quarantine and agriculture center in the Kalba border crossing port and inspected the procedures followed when fresh meat and live animals are received.
His Excellency emphasized the importance of following safety procedures for animal quarantine because it is the first line of defense against animal diseases that are common between humans and animals. The safety procedures also protect the animal resources from epidemic and contagious diseases. The application of laws that regulate the trade of live animals, border crossing ports facilitate trade and crossing process for livestock.
The visit also included a stop at the Hatta border crossing port where Dr. Al Zeyoudi visited the veterinarian quarantine office. He examined the complete process of inspecting imported feed and other animal food prepared for exportation through crossing ports.
He stressed the importance of providing the best services to the ministry’s customers from the moment the shipments arrive at the crossing port. This is through increasing the number of veterinary doctors and laboratory technicians at the quarantine centers as well as increasing working hours during this period.
His Excellency then proceeded to visit the abattoirs and live stock markets in Fujeirah and in Kalba. During the visit they inspected the importation and sales processes that take place in the markets which ensure the availability of the Udhiya animals during Eid Al Adha in accordance to the safety and security regulations that protect consumers, the environment and regulate the best practices for a healthy competition.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi said that this field visit is part of the ministry’s strategic vision to cater to the needs of the local market at to ensure the safety of food and the sustainability of local production. In addition, it reflects the ministry’s keenness on ensuring that preventive mechanisms that protect against agricultural problems and contagious animal diseases are put in place. He said that there are 11 veterinarian quarantine centers present in the country’s land, sea and air ports and that recently these ports have seen an influx in live animal shipments ahead of Eid Al Adha.
The ministry has a comprehensive plan in preparation for the Al Adha season. Since the beginning of the year 37592 camels, 7772 cows, 246116 sheep and 268513 goats have entered the country through various ports after undergoing veterinarian quarantine, clinical and laboratory tests to ensure that they are free from epidemic, contagious and joint animal diseases. This year, the sources from which the animals were imported were diversified. They included Australia, Brazil, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Georgia and India.