The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) on Monday announced the expansion of staff at plant and veterinary testing and quarantine facilities across the UAE to strengthen safety standards at the premises.

Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, recently conducted an inspection at an agricultural quarantine facility at the Dubai Flower Centre (DFC). Located at Dubai International Airport, the facility reviews consignments of cut flowers, foliage, plants, fruit and vegetables delivered through the centre.

Talking about the expansion of staff, Al Nuaimi noted that the ministry is upgrading all plant and veterinary testing and quarantine facilities at various entry points in the country to ensure compliance with the highest quality and safety standards in view of the prevailing circumstances. It will also ensure that only safe consignments enter the country.

"MOCCAE has increased the number of staff at these facilities and equipped them with state-of-the-art testing technologies," Al Nuaimi added.

The minister also reviewed the DFC’s laboratories and quarantine facilities to assess their preparedness for receiving and testing shipments throughout the year. This development has come in view of an expected surge in the number of consignments during Eid Al Adha and Expo 2020.