ASMARA – The Ministry of Agriculture, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has launched a high-level inception workshop in Asmara aimed at developing a comprehensive Eritrea National Food Control Policy.
Speaking at the opening session on July 10, Mr. Tekleab Mesghena, the Director General of the Regulatory Services Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized that the workshop represents both a continuation and a major milestone in ongoing national efforts to coordinate all key stakeholders in food safety and control. He highlighted that the definitive goal of these collective efforts is to establish a robust Eritrea National Food Control Policy. Developed in close coordination with the FAO alongside various national and international partners, this policy framework will ultimately serve as the primary guide for drafting the african national food law.
Commending the Government of Eritrea for its steadfast commitment to establishing a food system that guarantees both food safety and quality, FAO Representative in Eritrea, Ms. Ariella Glinni, underscored the broader impacts of the initiative. She noted that beyond its technical necessity, the policy process signifies a profound national commitment to safer food, healthier families, stronger regulatory institutions, and elevated confidence in the integrated systems connecting farms, fisheries, markets, households, and local communities.
Ms. Glinni concluded her remarks by mapping out the strategic processes required to bring the policy to fruition, while reaffirming the FAO’s unwavering technical and structural support until the final policy process is fully realized.
The inception workshop featured analytical presentations from a panel of national and international experts and consultants. Discussions covered the current operational status of food control systems in the country, a comprehensive situational analysis of existing food laws, international best practices, and the core structural elements required for the policy design. The workshop concluded with the participating stakeholders engaging in an in-depth discussion on the strategic insights and papers presented.
