Establishment of a New Analytical Laboratory at a Food Production Facility in Dekemhare City, Eritrea - TCP/ERI/3609
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Food safety and quality are essential for food security, public health and economic development. Improving laboratory-testing capacity contributes to increasing the supply of safe, wholesome high-quality food by reducing the impact of food-borne diseases that can cause illness and death. Food quality analysis and management also help to stem the economic consequences of food-borne illness and food insecurity, contributing to a healthier, more prosperous and productive nation. Ensuring the safety and quality of foods also promotes international trade and access to new markets, which provides a means to strengthen livelihoods all along the value chain, alleviating poverty and hunger. Eritrea is a young East African country, gaining independence in May 1991 after a 30-year war with Ethiopia. The development of industry in Eritrea, including the food industry and laboratories, dates back to the Italian colonial period (1890-1941), when Eritrea had a relatively prosperous economy. However, during British rule (1941-1952) and the Ethiopian administration that followed, a lack of investment led to a deterioration of its infrastructure. Eritrea’s current industrial base is made up of numerous small- and medium-sized enterprises, and the Government is making a significant effort to increase their contribution to the national economy – including private-sector food production and processing enterprises. However, Eritrea’s Government is facing several macro-economic challenges, which are affecting the operations of various ministries including Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Health. As a result, preventive activities such as those related to food safety receive less priority than curative medical services. This has seriously affected the ministries’ operation and monitoring of food safety analysis. The national food control system needs an urgent review and redesign. Establishment of basic operational and management systems, including training and capacity building of laboratory staff and laboratory accreditation to international standards, are needed to strengthen this system and enhance its capacity for ensuring that safe and nutritiousfood reaches consumers. Fisheries and agriculture are important economic sectors that have good potential for producing export earnings with relatively low levels of investment. However, ever-increasing international food safety standards and trade regulations are seriously hampering the export of agricultural products and hence the country's efforts to gain market access.