DOHA: The 26th meeting of GCC Agricultural Cooperation Committee yesterday approved a proposal to set up a special centre for food security for member countries.
The panel is working to complete formalities for establishing the centre, Dr Sheikh Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani, Assistant Undersecretary for Agricultural Affairs, Fisheries and Livestock at the Ministry of Environment told Al Sharq on the sidelines. The meeting also approved a project for a survey of shrimps in the GCC waters, he added.
Minister of Environment H E Ahmed Amer Mohamed Al Humaidi, who opened the meeting, stressed the importance of issues discussed by the ministerial meeting to boost GCC cooperation and integration in all fields of the agricultural sector. He said a mechanism was agreed in relation to veterinary medications and vaccines and exchange of expertise, adding that these subjects were referred to the meeting by undersecretaries.
The Minister said Qatar pays special attention to its environment and has amended legislations and enacted new ones such as the law on fishing to protect fisheries. He said there is a plan to bring all sites and stations monitoring air under a single system to maintain air quality, Qatar News Agency reports.
On the ministry’s contribution to achieving self-sufficiency in various areas in the agricultural sector, Al Humaidi said Qatar has laid down a strategy. The ministry is monitoring livestock diseases and provides vaccines and treatment while the state subsidises fodder and provides veterinary medications. He said the meeting aimed to achieve more progress in all areas of agriculture within a comprehensive vision that targets sustainable development.
To achieve this, the panel must follow up on efforts to tackle the increasing demand for food due to the growing population,decreasing arable land, climate changes leading to rain scarcity and deterioration of water resources, he said. The meeting’s agenda also included subjects to develop mutual work in the agricultural, livestock and fisheries sectors, he said.
Abdullah bin Juma Al Shibli, GCC Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs, also addressed the opening session.
The Peninsula
