‘We have many opportunities for cooperation within the field of agriculture with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Bulgaria is a country with established traditions within quality food production.’ This was stated by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Rumen Porodzanov, during his meeting with the UAE Minister of State for Food Security, Mariam Al Mehairi.
Porodzanov highlighted that as a member of the EU, Bulgaria applies rigorously the European policy for the traceability of food through the whole chain. The national legislation in force is excessively restrictive in regard to genetically modified food (GMO).
‘We know Bulgaria in the Arab world. Bulgarian food is very delicious and qualitative, and we have a great interest in your products,’ stated Al Mehairi on her part and she said that the biggest interest is in the import of live animals, meat and rose oil.
‘Bulgaria has established traditions in the production of white brined cheese and cow’s milk and goat’s milk yellow cheese, we have a very good meatprocessing industry and we are a leading producer of rose and lavender oil,’ said Minister Porodzanov.
During the meeting, the Executive Director of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, Dr. Damyan Iliev presented the institution’s activities.