Abu Dhabi Launches Veterinary Quarantine Facility At Khalifa Port To Enhance Food Security

With the backing of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ADAFSA, AD Ports Group, and ADPIC have launched a veterinary quarantine facility at Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi. This 32,700-square-metre facility aims to bolster biosecurity and food safety systems, safeguarding human and animal health while ensuring food security in Abu Dhabi.

The new facility is set to enhance the trade of live animals, support livestock imports, and increase re-export opportunities. It aims to attract both local and international companies involved in the live animal trade and meat industry. This initiative will also help position Abu Dhabi as a regional and global hub for importing and re-exporting live animals, thereby boosting the emirate's economic status.

Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of MoCCaE, stated that the ministry collaborates with strategic partners to improve biosecurity and food security systems. "In line with the country's strategic directions, the ministry works to enhance these systems through a forward-looking vision," he said. The goal is to implement policies, regulatory frameworks, and health standards based on global benchmarks to ensure safe agricultural, animal, and food consignments.

Saeed Al Bahri Al Ameri, Director-General of ADAFSA, highlighted the investment in the veterinary quarantine as a demonstration of wise leadership's commitment to achieving global leadership in food security. "The quarantine facility will reduce risks associated with zoonotic diseases by enabling early detection of animal diseases in imported animals," he noted. This will prevent their entry into the country.

The facility includes a veterinary laboratory unit equipped with advanced devices operated by specialised personnel. Animals will undergo standard procedures from their country of origin to ensure they are disease-free according to applicable regulations. This reduces the number of consignments rejected for not meeting health standards.

Strategic Partnerships

Maysara Mahmoud Eid, Acting Director-General of ADPIC, emphasised the importance of strategic partnerships in their approach. "This partnership embodies our unwavering commitment to strategic partnerships," he said. The successful completion of this project at Khalifa Port showcases their dedication to smooth project execution and innovation.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, remarked on Khalifa Port's continuous expansion solidifying its role as a key pillar in trade, industry, and logistics services. "Through technical teams' coordination with ADAFSA and AD Ports Group," he said, "the project was designed and implemented according to the highest global standards."

The veterinary quarantine facility at Khalifa Port is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring local and regional food security through infrastructure that meets customer needs. The collaboration between ADAFSA and AD Ports Group aims to develop a more sustainable food supply chain.

ADPIC supervised the implementation of this project with an operational capacity target of over one million head of livestock annually for the quarantine facility. This effort supports Abu Dhabi's goal of becoming a leader in food security globally.

The new veterinary quarantine facility represents a significant step towards enhancing biosecurity measures while supporting Abu Dhabi’s ambitions as a central hub for live animal trade.

With inputs from WAM