press releases 2009

U.S. Government Launches Program to Support Lebanese Agricultural Quality Control

October 27, 2009

echnicians testing and developing food products in one of the Food Testing and Product development facilities at the Saida Chamber of Commerce...

The U.S. government has launched a $3 million project to help Lebanese agriculture producers to insure the quality of their products both for export as well as in the Lebanese local market.  The Lebanon Agricultural Product Quality Control and Certification (QCC) is a three-year program that focuses on strengthening the capabilities of Lebanese food testing laboratories and product development plants.  It will increase the long-term growth of the Lebanese food industry by addressing food quality, safety, and regulatory compliance issues that have constrained food exports for small and medium-sized enterprises. 

At the launching ceremony, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lebanon Mission Director Denise A. Herbol noted the potential boon the QCC could have for Lebanese agricultural exporters.  The program will contribute to increasing exports of niche Lebanese products as well as providing technical assistance on the international certification process so that Lebanese food producers will comply with export market requirements.

The QCC is implemented by USAID and the Agriculture Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA) in partnership with the Zahle, Tripoli and Saida Chambers of Commerce and the Lebanese Agriculture Research Institute, who will train food producers and processors on product development, export standards, and market specifications.