His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), has paid an inspection visit to MOCCAE veterinary quarantine at Sharjah International Airport. This visit came as part of a number of inspection visits to UAE border port crossings, livestock markets and abattoirs ahead of the Eid Al Adha celebrations.
His Excellency Sheikh Faisal bin Saud Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah International Airport Authority, and a number of airport officials, received Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi during the visit.
Al Zeyoudi was accompanied by Sultan Alwan Al Habsi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Regions Sector, Dr Saad Al Numeiri, Advisor to His Excellency and Dr Majid Al Qasimi, Director of the Animal Health and Department Development at MOCCAE.
During his visit, Al Zeyoudi said: “This visit is to ensure that the crossings are implementing the inspection regulations that pertain to the importation of live animals, guarantee meeting the needs of the local livestock market and achieve one of MOCCAE’s strategic objectives to promote food safety.” He pointed out the importance of providing services to the clients and speeding up procedures by increasing the number of veterinary quarantine doctors and technicians of veterinary laboratories and extending working hours for Eid Al Adha.
His Excellency emphasized the importance of following safety procedures for animal quarantine because it is the first line of defence against animal diseases that are common in humans and animals. The safety procedures also protect the animal resources from epidemic and contagious diseases, while implementing laws that regulate the trade of live animals at border crossing ports facilitate trade and crossing processes for livestock.
His Excellency Sheikh Faisal bin Saud Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah International Airport Authority, praised the efforts exerted by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to ensure the provision of safe and healthy food to consumers in the country.
Al Qasimi said that Sharjah International Airport is well-equipped with all the facilities to provide the necessary services and arrangements for receiving livestock consignments. The airport exerts diligent efforts to improve the level of services especially in the most crowded sacrifice seasons which witness the considerable increase in the number of cargo flights.
The ministry has a comprehensive plan in preparation for the Al Adha season. The veterinary quarantine at Sharjah International Airport received 16,331 goats and 338 sheep during July. 24,307 goats and 5,448 sheep were entered during August. Moreover, the airport is expected to receive more than 23,000 goats and sheep for Eid Al Adha.