Baku hosting 74th meeting of EPPO Council

For the first time, Baku is hosting the 74th meeting of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) Council, Report informs.

The session, jointly organized by the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency (AFSA) and EPPO, brings together representatives from the Agriculture Ministry of Azerbaijan and member states of the organization.

In her opening speech at the two-day session, Zakiyya Mustafayeva, Deputy Chair of AFSA, emphasized the growing global importance of plant health and the critical need to protect plants from diseases and pests. "The development of strategies by EPPO to protect plant health, prevent the spread of invasive harmful organisms to new territories, and promote the use of modern, safe, and science-based effective control methods against harmful organisms is extremely important," Mustafayeva stated.

She noted that the agency has actively participated in EPPO's activities and implemented necessary and consistent measures to ensure plant health in the country under the One Health concept. The AFSA deputy chair expressed hope for further expansion of cooperation with international organizations, including the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and EPPO, which have consistently provided great support to the agency's plant health-related activities.