Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, represented by its Policy & Regulation sector has launched a risk-based inspection system for the animal production sector and its inputs of which the announcement came during a consultative workshop held in Abu Dhabi recently. This project is believed to be part of ADFCA's efforts to contribute in achieving Abu Dhabi government's strategy plan goals.

Dr. Mariam Ahmed Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director of Policy & Regulation sector said the new initiative comes perusing to Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority's food and agricultural policies related to animal production establishments and that ADFCA's Integrated Risk Management Framework, based on risk analysis, is considered an essential tool to provide a consistent approach for making decisions on any government intervention and action in response to animal, plant and human health related issues.

"ADFCA adopts the integrated farm to fork 'food chain' approach as a means of ensuring coherence and integration of regulatory and non-regulatory risk management measures across the entire food chain" she said.

She added saying that the Abu Dhabi Integrated Risk Management Framework is fundamental to effective compliance and provides the approach that ADFCA will take in establishing plant, animal and human health measures to improve efficiency and ensure optimal use of resources.

Mr. Khaled Al Marzooqi, Agriculture & Food Risk section manager said the new initiative is targeting all licensed businesses in animal production sector such as cattle, chicken and fish farms as well as its input businesses such as  feed factories, veterinary clinics and pharmacies etc.

The workshop held at ADFCA headquarters shed light on various aspects of the initiative including the objectives and the expected results in the animal production sector.

According to ADFCA, development of private sector players in the animal production industry with a focus on raising food safety levels of the products and achieving the biosecurity and animal welfare requirements are the main objectives behind this initiative.

The workshop also discussed about the best ways to improve the production methods and updating the inspection system with latest best international practices.

The participants praised ADFCA's continuous efforts to develop the sector by ensuring best communication and cooperation with private sector and by introducing scientific and technical solutions that lead the society towards guaranteeing sustainability and achieving food security.