UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment expedites food import services

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) in the UAE has implemented several measures at UAE ports to expedite the entry and testing of incoming food consignments.

In addition to increasing the staff at laboratories at ports of entry, the measures also include the deployment of a larger number of veterinary quarantine doctors and veterinary laboratory technicians.

The move will facilitate a continued food supply in the lead to the month of Ramadan.

Further, the ministry is ensuring that veterinary laboratories at ports and the Sharjah Central Laboratory are equipped with the most advanced veterinary diagnostic test kits to expedite and accommodate a higher number of consignments.

The testing methodology guarantees that all animal food sources are free from contamination, and prevent the spread of contagious diseases that can negatively impact human beings.

“MOCCAE leverages online and smart channels to ensure the continuity and flexibility of its services. We recently added eight e-services to our wide-ranging portfolio that supports the food supply chain, now totaling 68 services,” said Sultan Alwan, assistant undersecretary for the Regions Sector and acting assistant undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at MOCCAE.

Between January 1 and April 21, 2020, the UAE ports received 240 livestock consignments that included 251,000 head of sheep, 4,972 head of cattle, and 590 head of camel.

During the same period, the country’s land ports processed 128,000 tons of inbound consignments of fruits and vegetables.

Once produce and livestock consignments arrive at the UAE’s borders, they are only permitted to enter after examining the shipping documents and conducting visual and laboratory tests to ensure they are disease-free.

Consignments that fail to meet the requirements remain in quarantine for treatment or are returned to the country of origin.

The ministry coordinates with the countries of origin to concur on the health certificates that accompany consignments, as well as the technical and health requirements prior to exporting their shipments to the UAE.