The Georgian legislation on pesticides and agrochemicals has become closer to EU legislation.

 

In order to protect the farmers' interests and the consumer market, the National Food Agency regularly performs the examination of specialized sales points for pesticides and agrochemicals.

 

In order to involve in international trade of plants, vegetables and other regulated goods, governments must ensure the formation of a phytosanitary system and the existence of a national coordinate body of plant protection responsible for system operation. Such agency is the LEPL "National Food Agency", which is responsible for system administration and is strongly defined by the sphere of responsibility.

 

Sale of fertilizers and agrochemicals is possible through wholesale and retail trade through specialized networks. The buyer will be advised to use the agrochemicals on its effective and safe use.

 

In June 2014, Georgia has signed an Agreement on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the EU within the Association Agreement with the European Union (EU). The Association Agreement for Georgia, as well as the DCFTA, is a great opportunity and at the same time challenging for export potential and foreign investments. Agreements require rapid implementation of institutional and regulatory reforms in Georgia, as well as harmonization of Georgian legislation with EU standards.

 

The DCFTA will significantly improve the competitiveness and investment environment of Georgia that will attract more stable, direct and foreign investment (FDI). This will have a positive impact on Georgia's social and economic development. It is important that not only the trade flow between Georgia and the European Union, but also the market development, consumer protection, product quality improvement, gradual approximation of the legislation and standards according to the agreement. EU trade regulatory standards are used in many countries and these standards will help Georgia to trade not only with the EU, but with other important partners. Free trade space will enable Georgia to gradually integrate into the EU internal market. Besides, it should be noted that Georgian goods and services will be gradually accepted in the procurement of EU member states.

 

Very low cost of production in Georgia and than the export to the EU without trade barriers can attract direct foreign investments from EU countries

 

It is also possible to attract direct foreign investments from non-EU countries, which have not signed DCFTA with the European Union. Investors from these countries may be interested in Georgia as a "export platform".

 

DCFTA covers an agreement that requires to support trading with the products subject to sanitary and phytosanitary measures and at the same time protecting the health of people, animals and plants with various measures, that should be implemented by Georgia.

 

The Plant Protection Department of Georgia regularly carries out state control over the quality of pesticides and agrochemicals placed on the realization network. In 2018 laboratory investigation was performed on 300 samples of pesticides and 48 samples of agrochemical (total 348). 136 points for pesticides realization were also checked.