Otar Shamugia and Kelly Degnan visited the genetic laboratory created in the State Laboratory of Agriculture.
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia, together with the Ambassador of the United States of America, Mrs. Kelly Degnan, inspected the genetic laboratory created in the State Laboratory of Agriculture.
The visitors inspected the equipment and got familiar with the capabilities of the animal disease diagnostic department.
Mr. Shamugia spoke about the importance of laboratory research, emphasizing the State Laboratory of Agriculture's role in diagnosing particularly severe diseases.
The Minister thanked the US Ambassador and the representatives of partner organizations for their support.
" The laboratory capacity is annually increasing, with the support of the state and our international partners. Moreover, we enjoy long-standing cooperation with the US National Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), and with their assistance, the laboratory has been equipped with modern laboratory equipment this year, allowing us to diagnose diseases based on genetic studies," said Mr. Otar Shamugia.
According to the US Ambassador, the United States is happy and proud to assist Georgia in developing the agricultural laboratory component.
" Today is a wonderful example of the long-standing collaboration between the State Laboratory of Agriculture, the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, and the United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). The important genetic sequencing equipment was donated to Georgia’s state Laboratory of Agriculture. The United States is very pleased and proud to be able to support it through the important equipment donation made today’’ stated Mrs. Kelly Degnan.
The representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the US Embassy, the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the US National Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the State Agricultural Laboratory attended the meeting.
