Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, has set out plans to bolster the quality and safety of local produce to support Abu Dhabi's food security goals.
Sheikh Mansour, in his role as chairman of Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, outlined protocols aimed at improving the efficiency of farms, raising community confidence and boosting self-sufficiency in the food sector.
He issued a directive on biosecurity requirements for farms and livestock holdings in the capital to contribute to sustainable agriculture and maximise the output of farms.
The strategy will focus on pest control and eliminating disease from produce, state news agency Wam reported.
Sheikh Mansour said the move would help to safeguard humans, animals and plants from diseases and prevent outbreaks of pests and epidemics.
He underlined the importance of following good practice and precautionary measures to enhance biosecurity in the agriculture sector.
Saeed Al Ameri, ADAFSA's director-general, said the policy had been established to help guard against the outbreak of pests and diseases.
“The new decision comes within the legislative framework regulating the agricultural sector in Abu Dhabi," he said.
“This aims to develop a sustainable agricultural sector, promote the emirate’s biosecurity system, and protect farms and livestock holdings (izba) from the outbreak of pests and diseases.”
Mr Al Ameri said the authority will identify best global practice to prevent the community from the threat of zoonotic diseases, which are transmitted from animals to humans.
The procedures will help to manage risks seriously affecting fauna and flora, he said.
He said farm owners would have a key role to play in implementing biosecurity requirements.
Abu Dhabi steps up agriculture drive
It is the latest step to accelerate growth in agriculture and provide assistance to farmers.
On Thursday, Sheikh Mansour launched mobile services for animal and plant health in remote areas of the country.
The mobile vans are equipped with medicines, first aid, and vaccines for animals and will further the strategy of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to protect livestock and provide prompt service to farmers in remote areas.
The initiative — aimed at ensuring sustainable development and agricultural growth — will save animal owners time and effort, as they will not have to transport them to veterinary clinics for certain services.
At the start of the month, a plan to develop plant varieties and animal breeds that are better suited to the UAE’s environmental conditions was unveiled by Abu Dhabi's government.
The Abu Dhabi Agricultural Genome Programme will involve scientific research centres carrying out work to create the new varieties and breeds.
A database of genetic resources and a store of actual material will be set up. Elsewhere, this approach has often resulted in the creation of seed banks.
The initiative is part of ADAFSA's 2022 to 2025 strategic plan to enhance food security.
As well as enhancing food security — a key aim in a country that is a net importer of food — officials also want agriculture to make an increased contribution to Abu Dhabi emirate’s GDP.
The plant varieties and fish and animal breeds developed through the programme will be particularly suited to the UAE’s climate, which is characterised by high temperatures, low rainfall and, in some cases, high salinity levels in soil.
The specs
The specs: 2019 Audi Q8
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 340hp @ 3,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
Size: 40 employees
Investment: $2 million
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India squad for fourth and fifth Tests
Kohli (c), Dhawan, Rahul, Shaw, Pujara, Rahane (vc), Karun, Karthik (wk), Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Pandya, Ishant, Shami, Umesh, Bumrah, Thakur, Vihari
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WIDE%20VIEW
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
