TIRANA, June 8 – Albania launched the EU4FoodSafety project in Tirana on World Food Safety Day. The initiative aims to strengthen the food safety system and align it further with European standards.
The Albanian government supports the project. The European Union and the German government finance it. It focuses on improving controls across the entire food chain.
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla said the project supports ongoing reforms in the sector. Meanwhile, he said food safety remains a pillar of public health, consumer protection and sustainable agri-food development. He added that it also strengthens the competitiveness of Albanian producers and their access to the EU market.
In addition, Salla said the ministry continues work to build a modern system aligned with EU standards. He pointed to progress in institutional capacity, inspection systems, food business operator standards and implementation of EU acquis. He said the project will help move from identifying challenges to implementing concrete solutions that improve food safety.
He also linked food safety reforms to Albania’s EU accession process. At the same time, he said IPARD remains a key instrument for sector development. He said the goal remains a reliable system that ensures safe food and meets EU requirements.
EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato said the project has a total value of 12.5 million euros, with 1 million euros in additional German support. He said food safety represents a fundamental public right and citizens must trust food safety standards.
Gonzato said EU4FoodSafety will strengthen laboratories, inspections and veterinary capacities. As a result, it will introduce “farm to table” EU standards. He added that consumers will benefit from stronger safety guarantees, while businesses will gain competitiveness in EU markets.
The project will run in cooperation with GIZ and Albanian food safety institutions.
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