COVID-19 forces UAE to prioritize agriculture and food security

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of UAE is initiating changes in its food safety laws. Under the new regulations, only top quality food is allowed to enter the country. The UAE government is also working on attracting youth into the agricultural sector. It had built five fully equipped centres around the country to provide 16-month long training covering animal and crop agriculture, beekeeping and aquaculture. The Minister of Climate Change and Environment Abdullah Al Nuaimi spoke about the changes: “Covid-19 is the reason [the project is being launched]. We had time during the pandemic to assess the threat that could be posed by another pandemic, or a disaster in another country, to our food supply.”

The COVID-19 sharpened the awareness of potential food crises that may erupt if food security policies are not paid due attention. The Emirates import 90% of its food supply, which makes the UAE officials concerned for a good reason.

Source: https://amp-thenationalnews-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.thenationalnews.com/uae/government/new-uae-food-safety-standards-to-be-introduced-in-next-two-months-1.1240488