Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture held a high-level meeting to discuss mechanisms for enhancing Egyptian honey exports and implementing a traceability system in line with European Union (EU) standards, the ministry announced on Thursday. The session was organised by the ministry's Agricultural Extension Sector in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the EU-funded Trade Project. The recommendations included the preparation of a national plan for monitoring pesticide and veterinary drug residues in honey for submission to the EU, the report added. Participants also agreed to implement EU-compliant traceability and verification systems, certify export facilities, and initiate a pilot project in Gharbia governorate as a starting point for gradual application. Further recommendations included the registration and formalisation of beekeepers, creation of a national database, improvement of local bee breeds, and support for live bee exports, the announcement added. UNIDO and the European Union support to Trade, Industry, Growth, and Rapid Market Access (TIGARA) project will provide support for enhancing related industries, offering competitively priced production supplies, upgrading analytical infrastructure, and strengthening technical staff capacity through training, field visits, digital management systems, and quality certification for exporters. TIGARA is an initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade. It focuses on strengthening the policy ecosystem and business environment, and supporting value chains and clusters to help Egypt capitalise on trade opportunities, according to the UN website. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
