The 19th Steering Committee Meeting of the EU Food Safety Project was successfully held, bringing together project partners and stakeholders to review progress and agree on next steps for implementation.

 
The meeting covered the 10th Project Quarterly Progress Report and highlighted continued efforts to strengthen food safety and animal health practices, including support following the recent Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. Participants discussed ongoing technical assistance, training activities, monitoring programmes, laboratory development, and support provided to food businesses.

A strong focus was placed on coordinated FMD response activities, including surveillance and preparations to safeguard animal health and recovery efforts. Updates were also shared on work supporting the trade of Turkish Cypriot Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)-compliant Halloumi/Hellim across the Green Line and into the EU market, as well as on the continued improvements in hygiene controls, traceability, and monitoring of food of non-animal origin and feed.

Discussions further underlined progress on harmonised tools for control on the application of food safety and public health standards, strengthened cooperation and planned upgrades in laboratory capacity following relocation.
Looking ahead, the project will continue to prioritise training, field-level support, monitoring activities, and further strengthening of preparedness and response systems in both food safety and animal health.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continued collaboration and steady progress enhancing food safety and animal health safeguards.

Stay connected for more updates on the EU Food Safety Project.