"How the EU Helps Make Food Safer" Information Sessions held in Nicosia, Kyrenia and Famagusta

Since the commencement of the EU Aid Programme in 2006, a variety of actions have been implemented in the agriculture sector with a particular focus on improving standards related to food safety.

Overall, a total of €28.7 million has been allocated to rural development grant scheme projects to support investments on farms and in rural communities.  An amount of €21.7 million has been allocated to provide technical assistance, training and capacity building to improve husbandry practices, veterinary services, analytical capacity of food laboratories and the planning of rural development initiatives.  Approximately €8 million has been allocated to the supply of equipment to improve veterinary and food safety laboratories, establish a system for the management of animal by-products and strengthen agricultural extension services.

More specifically, current assistance is being delivered to livestock producers to improve animal production and health and to veterinary services, in order to control and eventually eradicate contagious animal diseases and zoonosis.

Support is being provided for the preparation and implementation of a Farm Advisory Services Strategy, including the training of local farm advisors and the delivery of advice directly to farmers on reaching standards, improving husbandry practices, business planning and project preparation and implementation.

The event specifically covered presentations on photovoltaic solar energy systems, toxicity levels of puffer fish, the mapping of women’s health in Cyprus and investigation of genetic and environmental causes of diseases, effective use of smart communication systems for public safety networks, RNAi-based personalized therapeutic strategies in cancer genetics, breast cancer treatment-nanotechnology, food safety, air quality and electronic chips for low cost non-battery sensor networks for the future. 
Researchers presented their work and informed the public about the role and importance of research in the modern world as well as the practical applications of their research results in everyday life. At the same time, participants had the opportunity to engage with the researchers and ask questions.  The event finished with a reception, giving participants and researchers an opportunity to network and share ideas.

Cycling Safely Workshop for Elementary School Students

The European Commission, as part of European Mobility Week 2018, marked the importance of getting around safely with a “Cycling Safely Workshop” for Grade 5 primary school students at the Traffic Education Park in Nicosia on 27 September, in collaboration with the Prevention of Road Traffic Accidents Association (TKÖD). 

The aim of the workshop was to promote safe and alternative modes of transport in a safety controlled environment, where the students had the opportunity to ride the obstacle course and were provided with tips on safe cycling including sudden breaking, assessing traffic situations, blind spots, safety gear and bike maintenance.

As part of the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, €2.7 million was allocated to improve road safety since in 2009. Since the number of accidents and deaths per million km driven in the Turkish Cypriot community is one of the highest in Europe, the programme focused on long-term sustainable impact. It created a coherent structure encompassing all organisations involved in traffic safety, to boost efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, it also provided planning to help local communities address current and future mobility needs, including the elimination of three black spots by remodelling and resignalling hazardous road sections.