According to the National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA), specifically, from November 3 to 13, ANSA participated in an assessment conducted by experts from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) as part of our country's preparations for accession to the European Union. The purpose of the mission was to assess the level of technical preparedness necessary for the effective implementation of European Union legislation in the agri-food sector, specifically Chapter 12, "Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy." Areas such as animal health and welfare, as well as the management of animal by-products not intended for human consumption, were assessed. During the mission, European experts held discussions with Agency representatives at both the central and regional levels, analyzing the organization and effectiveness of the official control system, sanitary and veterinary surveillance mechanisms, animal identification and registration, as well as compliance with animal welfare requirements. At the same time, the mission's program included field visits to livestock farms, slaughterhouses, and animal by-product processing facilities to assess the practical application of sanitary and veterinary requirements and official control procedures. During discussions with the audit team, ANSA Acting Director General Alexandr Manciu noted that this audit mission represents an important step in assessing Moldova's readiness to implement European legislation and provides valuable support to ANSA in identifying areas requiring strengthening in preparation for EU accession. According to him, for ANSA, the implementation of European standards means enhancing capacity in the areas of animal disease prevention and control, ensuring animal welfare, and the safe handling of animal by-products. Strengthening these areas contributes to the protection of public health and increases confidence in Moldova's agri-food products. ANSA will continue to strengthen its institutional capacity and official control system, supporting the agri-food sector's preparation for integration into the European Union market. // 13.11.2026 — InfoMarket