Georgian aquaculture farmers boost food safety, biosecurity practices

Fish farmers in Georgia have enhanced their knowledge and practical skills in food safety and aquatic animal health management through a five-day training. The educational opportunity was organized and delivered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the ENPARD IV programme, with support from the European Union and Sweden.

The training brought together more than 40 aquaculture producers, Food Business Operators and sector stakeholders. It aimed at adopting good aquaculture practices aligned with international standards.

As the aquaculture sector in Georgia develops, strengthening food safety and disease prevention is essential for protecting public health and improving market access. The training combined practical and field-based learning to build farmers’ capacities in biosecurity, hazard management and outbreak response, introducing FAO-supported digital tools such as the National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS) and Farm Management Systems (FMS) to enhance traceability and decision-making.

A dedicated field day allowed participants to integrate food safety and aquatic animal health practices through hands-on farm-based exercises, focusing on the practical application of biosecurity measures, hazard management and real-time decision-making in aquaculture production.

“The aquaculture sector is the world’s fastest-growing food sector, representing 51% of the total aquatic animal production already in 2022,” said Haydar Fersoy, FAO Senior Fishery and Aquaculture Officer, and Lead Technical Officer from FAO’s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia. “Aquatic animal health management and aquaculture biosecurity are therefore of outmost importance, representing key areas to ensure quality and safe products for end consumers.”

“Supporting aquaculture farmers in a practical manner to meet international food safety and biosecurity standards will ensure the establishment of a resilient and competitive sector,” said Guido Agostinucci, FAO ENPARD IV Programme Manager. “By strengthening capacities across the entire value chain, we help producers reduce risks, improve product quality and access new market opportunities.”

“Meeting European Union food safety standards – particularly in eliminating banned substances, which have no place in Georgian aquaculture – is key to the future of the sector,” said Denis Reiss, Programme Officer for Sustainable Food Systems at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia. “Georgian responsible and knowledgeable producers, backed by FAO training, are at the heart of this transformation.”

FAO, with support from the European Union and Sweden, continues to assist the aquacultural sector in Georgia through a combination of technical training modules and targeted support mechanisms. These interventions build on previous activities, including training opportunities on food safety in aquaculture, good aquaculture practices, aquatic animal health, biosecurity systems and HACCP-based inspection approaches, contributing to strengthened compliance with international standards, improved production practices and the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the sector.

About the European Union

For more than 30 years, the EU has built a close partnership with Georgia, supporting its development through knowledge and experience sharing, expertise, innovation and financial support. The relationship between the EU and the citizens of Georgia is based on shared values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights and inclusive economic growth.

About ENPARD

The EU supports rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Aiming to reduce rural poverty, ENPARD has been implemented since 2013. The Programme started by supporting the development of the national agriculture potential. Subsequently, it also concentrated on creating economic opportunities for rural populations in Georgia. Since 2021, the Programme has also been working to improve food safety in the country, with additional support from Sweden, and FAO and the Czech Development Agency as the main implementers of this food safety component under ENPARD IV.