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- Ελληνικά
Increase of controls by the Competent Authorities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, in view of the Easter holidays
A priority of the Government, which is people-centred, is to support citizens through both horizontal and vertical measures, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr. Maria Panayiotou, said today, recalling that basic items, such as meat and vegetables, have a zero VAT rate.
The Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, accompanied by the Director General of the Directorate General of Agriculture and Rural Development and the heads of the Department of Agriculture and Veterinary Services, visited supermarkets and butchers, in order to be informed about the controls being carried out.
In her remarks to reporters, the Minister noted that she began the customary tour that the Minister of Agriculture makes of supermarkets before the Easter holidays. Inspections carried out by both the Veterinary Services and the Department of Agriculture are increased in view of the holidays, Dr Panagiotou said.
"What we are looking at is throughout the food production chain to be compliant with both EU and national legislation," she said.
He added that they are looking "to ensure that the labelling is correct, to ensure the health of citizens, consumers, that there is no issue of any misleading or unfair practices and all the data from the veterinary services are recorded," informing that based on the data "the Department of Agriculture has not recorded any problems in terms of controls on fruit and vegetables."
As for the Veterinary Services, he said that "around 800 kilos of meat have been seized. He explained that the seizure was not for hygiene reasons, but "mainly for reasons of product appearance."
"The quantities that have been placed on the market, according to the services' estimates, are the same as in previous years and we are satisfied with the controls that have been carried out," the Minister continued.
Asked if there have been any increases in prices, she said that the supermarket she is visiting has seen a slight decrease in prices this month compared to last month.
"It is very important to remind consumers that the priority of the government, a people-oriented government, is to support citizens through both horizontal and vertical measures. And to remind that basic items, such as meat and vegetables, have a zero VAT rate," the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment stressed.
Asked to answer whether there are any shortages of lambs, the Minister replied that no shortages have been recorded. There is sufficiency in the market and around 21,500 pieces have been allocated for small ruminants, she concluded in this regard.
(EFF/AF/NYAN)
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