On May 31st, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with the Government of Azerbaijan, conducted a day-long training on “Food Safety and Quality”.

This USDA-USAID training helped build the capacity of food safety stakeholders from public and private sectors, as well as university faculty and students, to understand and comply with international standards and norms (WTO SPS measures) and reassure trading partners of the safety of Azerbaijani products.  Participants in the 1-day workshop gained practical skills and information on such topics as international food safety and quality requirements for industry, implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) pre-requisites in CIS countries, basic HACCP principles, and financial aspects of compliance with HACCP programs. Over 40 participants were expected, including representatives from the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, and State Agency on Standardization Metrology and Patents, as well as leading industry, educational institutions, and NGOs.

Food safety and quality play an integral role in trade. The ability to meet international requirements and standards increases the competitiveness of the Azerbaijani agricultural sector and is necessary to have a robust export economy. Compliance with international food safety standards is also a pre-requisite for joining the World Trade Organization (WTO).

USDA and USAID will hold a similar training in Ganja in June.