The Minister of Agriculture in the caretaker government, Abbas al-Haj Hassan, announced the results of laboratory tests for random samples concerning cholera bacteria, conducted by the ministry in the Bekaa, Nabatieh, and southern governorates in cooperation with the chambers of commerce, industry, and agriculture, and funded by the Tripoli and North Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture. This was done in the presence of the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Louis Lahoud, the head of the chamber in the north, Tawfik Dabousi, representatives from the chambers in all Lebanese governorates, regional department heads, and directors.
Al-Haj Hassan revealed in a statement that "55 random tests were conducted in all the Bekaa and southern governorates, and 60 tests were performed in the northern and Mount Lebanon governorates, which can be considered a random survey across all Lebanese governorates. The results of all tests conducted, totaling 115 laboratory tests, were 'negative,' confirming that 'we can assure that Lebanese crops are free from cholera bacteria.'"
He added: "We are keen, first and foremost, to deliver healthy and safe products to the Lebanese citizen. Our concern for food security naturally reflects on the products exported abroad, which are subjected to tests twice: the first before exporting and the second upon arrival in the importing country, with all tests meeting the required health specifications." The Minister of Agriculture also announced the "launch of a free national soil testing campaign, through which the ministry can provide more precise guidance to farmers on how to utilize their land at a lower cost and reduce the use of agricultural fertilizers while achieving higher productivity."
