His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), chaired the first regular meeting of the Governing Board of ADFCA for the current year at the Presidential Palace in the presence of the members of the board. A number of issues were discussed during the meeting and the minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

The meeting discussed the survey of neglected farms across the emirate and directed to expedite the agricultural census project for the year 2013, to be undertaken in association with the Abu Dhabi Statistics Centre and other concerned government entities.

The board approved the preparation of a work plan for preventing brucellosis in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi through the program 'my farm is free from Brucellosis." This is the first phase of the program and participation is voluntary. This requires cooperation from animal breeders to control the movement of animals and to adhere to the terms of the program. This is aimed at rooting out brucellosis and encouraging voluntary initiatives on the part of the animal breeders to control diseases.

The board directed ADFCA to conduct comprehensive studies on veterinary treatment for non-food producing animals across the emirate.

The board reviewed the fifth report on the vaccination campaign for animal wealth and the Authority's efforts in this sphere, besides the plans for upcoming campaigns against epidemics affecting animals.

The board was briefed on the Environment, Health and Safety Management System plans that include workshops for organizations in order to register them in the system as well as to help them implement the system in food establishments. The board also reviewed the phases of work in developing Integrated Management System for all aspects of environment, health and safety.

The board reviewed the activities and accomplishments pertaining to environment, health and safety during the past one year, more importantly the Approval Certificate on Environment, Health and Safety Management System conferred on ADFCA by the Abu Dhabi Centre for Environment, Health and Safety and the naming of ADFCA as the regulating authority in this area for food establishments. The board also reviewed the 13 training sessions that benefitted 220 staff members, reaching a total of 105.6 training hours. The board was briefed also on the three workshops  attended by 600 persons from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region.

The board reviewed the development of an organizational structure for ADFCA in line with the strategic plans, governmental directives and the requirements for consistent execution of work after the incorporation of agriculture and the most efficient utilization of the work force.

The board was briefed on the annual report of the internal audit division for the year 2012. The meeting discussed the updating of the risks register and the plans for internal audit during the current year.

The meeting saw the selection of His Excellency Rashed Al Hajiri as the new delegate member and His Excellency Major General Obaid Al Hairi Salim Al Kutbi as head of the audit committee.

The chairman of the board thanked the staff of ADFCA for their efforts and contributions towards various achievements that placed ADFCA among the best organizations in its spheres internationally. He called upon the staff to consistently contribute for the greater common good.