An auction of the best local breeds that featured 1,300 animals drew the participation of 175 breeders.

Shamila Jamaluddin, Staff Reporter

The first edition of EuroTier Middle East, the trade show for animal husbandry and livestock management, opened in the Capital recently.

The exhibition which is to continue until Sept.4, 2019 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), is held in partnership with Adafsa (Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority).

On the opening day, an animal beauty contest was held that showcased 5,000 food-producing animals from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman, and an auction of the best local breeds that featured 1,300 animals which drew the participation of 175 breeders.

The exhibition dedicated to livestock has assembled a regional gathering of agriculturists, including 120 exhibitors from sixteen countries. Saudi Arabia is the country of honour at the event.

On Tuesday, the second day of the event, the EuroTier Middle East International Conference convened with renowned specialists in animal production and biosecurity to highlight the most pressing issues in the animal husbandry sector.

Organised under the supervision of Adafsa and supported by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the event has attracted experts and researchers from Adafsa and prominent local and international universities, institutes and research centres.

There are twelve research papers to be presented at the conference related to contemporary dairy farming in arid regions, animal welfare, managing heat stress in dairy herds, modern hoof care in dairy herds, successful dairy farm management with economics as a main pillar, and using technology for dairy production.

Moreover, the four-day exhibition highlights a range of stalls pertaining to the latest innovations in the farming and agriculture industries, farm inputs and implements, including animal feeds, ingredients, veterinary products, crushers, mixers and pelleters.

Stalls: Mawashi is an exciting new initiative, to help local farmers make their animal farming more profitable.

“Abu Dhabi has more than three million farm animals, which make a very important contribution to the National Food Security programme, with the goal to keep these animals sustainable over time,” says the mini booklet provided by Mawashi.

Mawashi offices are located in Al Saad near Al Ain where they have established a model, demonstration farm which propagates quality, imported and local animals using best practices to breed and keep the animals. “Our globally recognised teams of specialists are experts in the animal farming industry using their expertise to transfer knowledge and skills to local farmers, improving their farming practices to become self-sustainable and profitable,” the booklet reads.

Salt Crystal Products: Minex International–House of Himalayan salt which was established in 1977 caters for a variety of salt products ranging from pink coarse salt to pink and white fine salt, salt bars, salt tiles jars, bowls even lamps to name a few.

“The advantages of salt crystal products are many,” said Asim Yaqoob, of Minex International, manufacturers and exporters of salt products, Pakistan.

Salt Crystal products emit therapeutic, electromagnetic waves of colours to benefit body and mind. When warmed, they emit negative ions that remove harmful microbes from air.

Moreover, the salt crystal products have the natural characteristics to purify and revitalize the atmosphere as well as prevent bad effects of electronic devices rampant in human life. “The salt crystal night lamps are recommended for a peaceful sleep,” he adds.

Inaugural Edition and Adafsa: Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Mariam Bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Mehairi, Minister of State for Food Security, Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development and Board Member of Adafsa, Saeed Al Bahri Salem Al Ameri, Director General of Adafsa, and Rashed Mohammed Al Mansoori, Chairman of the EuroTier Middle East Organising Committee, including other senior officials and VIP’s attended the opening event on Monday.

Dr Al Zeyoudi noted that hosting EuroTier Middle East in Abu Dhabi reinforces the importance of the livestock sector in the UAE and the wider region.

During his tour of the exhibition, Dr Al Zeyoudi praised the high level of its organisation and the efforts of Adafsa to enhance livestock sustainability, support local livestock production, and maintain food diversity.

ADAFSA: Adafsa’s main areas of work includes food security, food safety, agriculture sustainability, bio security and agriculture and food investments.

It is responsible for all agriculture affairs, food safety and bio security in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi supporting farmers and livestock breeders in the Emirate as well as strengthening the partnership with the private sectors that will encourage them to extend more investments in agriculture and food industries.

Adafsa implements the monitoring inspection for all imported, exported and locally produced food and agriculture products that are trading in the emirate, including the pesticide residues and vetenarary medicines in accordance with the existing legislation.

In addition it authorizes to monitor and inspect all food facilities within Abu Dhabi to ensure the highest standards of food quality provided to the consumer.