Eritrea participated in the 17th annual meeting of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures that was held in Rome from 27 to 31 March.

At the meeting Mr. Tekleab Misghina, Director General of Regulations and Inspection at the Ministry of Agriculture, and Mr. Asmerom Kidane, Eritrea’s Permanent Representative at UN Institutions in Italy, took part.

The Commission on Phytosanitary Measures is the governing body of the International Plant Protection Convention that has been established by member countries with the objective to review the work progress of subsidiary bodies towards achieving the objectives of the International Plant Protection Convention.

The International Plant Protection Convention has so far prepared 46 standards for controlling cross-country pests and has delivered them to member countries for implementation.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Eritrea has established quarantine centers at the Asmara International Airport, Massawa, and Assab as well as in Teseney with the objective to control cross-country pests.

The International Plant Protection Convention is an organ of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.

Eritrea has become a member of the Convention in 1995.