Tributes have been paid to the head of the National Food Agency of Georgia, who has died. Zurab Chekurashvili had been in the role for more than a decade.
The Latvian Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) said it was deeply saddened by the passing of a dear friend and valued partner.
“Under his dedicated and visionary leadership, the National Food Agency of Georgia made remarkable strides in aligning Georgia’s food safety and veterinary systems with European Union standards,” said the agency in a statement.
“Zurab will be long remembered for his unwavering professionalism, his personal warmth, and the genuine friendship he extended to all. His legacy is one of significant achievement and profound connection. We extend our most heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this time of immense loss.”
Tigran Petrosyan, head of the Food Safety Inspection Body of Armenia, said Chekurashvili was a distinguished professional.
“Our cooperation with (Zurab), a respected colleague from a friendly neighboring country, was marked by openness, honesty, and mutual trust founded not only on professional respect but also on genuine human warmth.
“For (Zurab), food safety was more than a professional responsibility; it was a matter of public health and the wellbeing of his nation. His innovative approaches and commitment to advancing the field set a valuable example for all of us.”
In June this year, the 2025 to 2028 food safety strategy was approved by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia. The document was developed with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The strategy represents a foundation for improving food safety and has six objectives. They include improved readiness for managing crises and increasing the capacity for conducting risk analyses.
With financial support from Sweden, in September the FAO launched a grant opportunity to strengthen the food safety and competitiveness of the country’s hazelnut sector. Eligible small and medium-sized farmers can apply for co-funding to purchase modern drying and storage equipment to reduce the risk of aflatoxin contamination and improve hazelnut quality.
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