Moldova’s Food Safety Agency (ANSA) showcased their new examination, testing and sampling facility during the second Giurgiulesti Port Users Forum, which took place on 22 September. The facility, located within the Giurgiulesti-Galati road border crossing point, just a short distance from the port, allows testing and analysis of veterinary and phytosanitary products on a 24/7 basis. In 2016, over 430,000 tons of food and agricultural products passed through the port. The treatment of animals whilst being transported to the port for export, during unloading from vehicles and loading on to vessels was discussed, together with the development of new technological norms which should incorporate new recommendations from the International Maritime Organisation’s FAL Convention.

The Giurgiulesti International Free Port Users Forum was created to catalyse the implementation of the recommendations stemming from the joint EUBAM-Moldovan Customs Service study on the Customs procedures at the port, launched in May 2017. It brought together representatives from all the border services, the Harbour Master, shipping companies and the port’s owner/operator, and has been designed to address day-to-day practical, local, operational, logistical and administrative issues between all relevant stakeholders. The Forum’s next meeting is scheduled to take place in November.