Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture has affirmed that Bahrain, through its plans and strategies related to agricultural development and achieving food security, will continue to enhance cooperation and consolidate partnership with the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to achieve development goals.

Al Mubarak was speaking as he headed the kingdom’s delegation to the meeting of the GCC Municipalities Affairs Ministers which convened in Muscat, Oman.

The minister underlined that the meeting discussed topics of common interest.

He highlighted that the participants agreed on procedural steps that precede the dissemination of the final version of the Unified Agricultural Quarantine System Law.

Al Mubarak added that they had discussed the seeds system law as well as the review and amendment mechanisms for the Fertilizers and Agricultural Soil Improvers Law were agreed upon, with the review set for November.

The review and amendment mechanisms for the Fertilizers and Agricultural Soil Improvers Law were agreed upon, with the review set for November 2023.

The veterinary quarantine system law was reviewed, and a mechanism for its review was agreed upon, with observations and views to be finalised and submitted to the Supreme Council during its next session.

The meeting examined the executive regulations of the law regarding the practice of veterinary medicine in the GCC.

The secretariat was tasked with developing a procedures guide to expedite the adoption of agricultural system laws and executive regulations, while a study on regulating and monitoring the import and export of live aquatic resources and their products was circulated.

The minister has assigned the Permanent Committee for Food Security to meet with specialists in member states to review strategies and plans for achieving food security 2025-2030.

The strategy should have a clear implementation plan with objectives, a timetable, performance indicators, and a follow-up and evaluation mechanism, he said.

The minister emphasised the need for increased initiatives and joint efforts to enhance agricultural development and food security in the GCC countries.

Al Mubarak highlighted the GCC’s expertise in implementing initiatives in agriculture, marine resources, and livestock sectors.

He stressed that Bahrain supports the outcomes of the Gulf ministerial meeting, out of its belief in the importance of joint GCC action and its role in supporting agricultural work.

Source: Bahrain News Agency