Rome, Apr.25 (SANA) Syria’s Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform and Italy’s Animal Health Institute (IZSUM) agreed to establish a specialized animal health laboratory in Syria, in a step aimed at strengthening disease surveillance and diagnostic systems and supporting livestock resources and veterinary services.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Minister of Agriculture Amjad Badr and Director General of the institute Dr. Vincenzo Caputo, with the participation of Italian Ambassador to Syria Stefano Ravagnan via video link, as well as representatives of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD).
According to a statement published by the Ministry of Agriculture on Saturday, the two sides discussed means of expanding joint cooperation in agricultural and veterinary fields and upgrading laboratory capacities in support of both plant and animal sectors.
Minister Badr also toured the institute’s laboratories, including the pesticide residues laboratory, where he reviewed the latest equipment and technologies as well as mechanisms for conducting specialized tests and analyses.
Since Monday, Minister Badr has carried out a series of activities in Italy aimed at strengthening international cooperation and exchanging expertise. He took part in the 38th session of the Near East Regional Conference at the headquarters of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as well as in the 43rd edition of the Macfrut exhibition.
He also held talks with Perugia Mayor and the President of the University of Perugia, on enhancing cooperation in agricultural and veterinary sciences, animal health and knowledge exchange. In addition, he reviewed the operational model of Trevalli, a company specialized in milk and dairy production, including its laboratories and production systems.
A/Dh
