Context
As part of the Association Agreement signed between Moldova and the European Union (EU) in June 2014, Moldova has undertaken to adapt its domestic food safety legislation to conform with European laws. The EU requires that the competent authority in an exporting country properly monitors compliance with food safety standards by companies operating in that country. In the case of Moldova, the body responsible for food safety, and for the closely linked plant and animal health measures, is the National Food Safety Agency (NFSA). However, the Agency currently lacks the capacity to carry out the kind of independent controls necessary to meet the provisions of the Association Agreement. Once the NFSA can provide appropriate evidence, Moldovan companies will be entitled to go through the approval procedure for inclusion in the EU exporter list. In turn, stable trade relations with the EU will contribute to Moldova’s economic growth.
Objective
The NFSA performs official controls of food products of animal origin in compliance with the provisions of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement.
Approach
This project supports the NFSA in drafting and introducing inspection procedures for foods of animal origin along the entire production chain and in line with the Association Agreement with the EU. It is working mainly in the following areas:
• Introduction of working procedures: The project supports the development of procedures to ensure inspections are carried out in a unified approach, in order to obtain verifiable results.
• Training of inspectors: Inspectors from relevant government departments receive appropriate practical training, including simulation inspections carried out in existing companies.
• Quality assurance through internal audits: The management of the NFSA conducts independent internal audits to assess the consistency and efficiency of the official controls. The project provides advice and support for these audits, including on-the-job training for NFSA staff. The results of this programme will be fed into the planned revision of the official control system.
• Implementation of EU recommendations: The project is assisting the NSFA with its efforts to identify appropriate steps to achieve any improvements required.
• Coordination of donor contributions: Here, the project is assisting the NFSA in planning and harmonising contributions from its international cooperation partners.
Results achieved so far
A gap analysis has been carried out, examining the existing quality management system and internal auditing procedures of the NFSA. Initial training has been provided for the NFSA staff. The project has drawn up a list of products of animal origin, in line with EU procedures, which it has submitted to the partner. It has also developed a donor coordination plan and assisted the NFSA in preparing to receive missions from the EU Directorate General for Health and Food Safety.
ADT/GFA are supporting the project in improving food safety (food products of animal origin) by developing capacity at the National Food Safety Agency.