Parliament gives green light to establishment of food safety institute

39 legislators on Friday voted in favor of the establishment of one food safety institute for the entire nation. The tasks are currently divided among various institutes which do not apply general guidelines. Thanks to the new law all of the responsibilities will be put on the shoulders of the National Institute for Food Safety in Suriname (NIVS). The new law pays special attention to the production in the agrarian sector so that high standards can be applied which will break down all the barriers that keep Surinamese agrarian products off the European

market. The bill was presented to parliament before the general elections of May 25. At that time Rabin Parmessar was the minister of Agriculture, Stock Breeding and Fisheries (LVV). Parmessar who is currently a legislator in the opposition is content with the fact that the new government and parliament support the legislation. The NIVS will get a start-up capital of SRD 1 million. Agriculture, Stock Breeding and Fisheries Minister Parmanand Sewdien expects a huge boost in the agrarian sector of Suriname.