Doha, August 29 (QNA) - The Ministry of Municipality - represented by the Agricultural Affairs Department and the Training Department - organized a five-day training program on plant quarantine procedures for agricultural engineers.

The program sought to raise the efficiency and capabilities of plant quarantine engineers at the various state ports. The program also sought to ensure that the phytosanitary status of the incoming consignments matches the phytosanitary requirements in the State of Qatar to prevent the entry and spread of plant pests subject to phytosanitary regulations through plants, plant products, and other regulated materials in international trade.

The program addressed several themes including the importance of plant quarantine in protecting plant wealth, scientific information and knowledge related to plant quarantine and plant health, the duties and responsibilities of the plant quarantine inspector, and the phytosanitary requirements of the State of Qatar for all types of plant consignments and agricultural fertilizers.

The program also addressed skills and procedures for inspecting different plant consignments, types and methods of sampling from various consignments, Law No. 24 of 2005 Concerning Agricultural Quarantine and its executive regulations, quarantine plant pests, as well as poisonous and prohibited plants and seeds.

(QNA)