Equipment from the United States – grinders, moisture dockage testers, and more – is scheduled to arrive in Tunisia Oct. 19, reports Cary Sifferath, U.S. Grains Council senior regional director for the Mediterranean and Africa.

“It’s a key step toward establishing the Tunisian Reference Laboratory for Animal Feed Analysis under our five-year agreement with the Tunisian government,� he said. “Our objective is to have the laboratory begin its first phase of operations by this coming January.�

Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed last April, the Council is providing technical assistance, training, and help with equipment purchases to the lab for a period of five years.

The project is modeled on the Council’s highly successful work in Egypt to establish a grain quality testing laboratory.

To date, progress in Tunisia has included short-term technical training and a study tour for two key laboratory technicians to Egypt and the United States.

“By mid-October, we expect to have our consultant in Tunis to set up the new Tunis lab and initiate training,� said Sifferath.

“By providing reliable inspections, this program will help with quality control in Tunisia’s feed industry and give feed millers and farmers more confidence in the quality of the feed ingredients they purchase,� he concluded.