THE Government has urged agribusiness companies to review their operations for them to comply with the international standards on quality and safety as Parmalat Zambia receives ISO 22000 international standard certification.

Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Emmanuel Chenda said it was important that agribusiness companies adhered to product quality and, safety standards.

Mr Chenda said this in a speech read for him by ministry's Permanent Secretary, Siazongo Siakalenge during the announcement of the Parmalat Zambia accreditation of an international standard ISO 2200 certification in Lusaka.

He said that agribusiness companies in Zambia should strive to produce quality products so that consumers could gain confidence in them.

He said if the dependence on imports was reduced, the demand for local raw materials would be increased thereby generating increased income and jobs for the people.

Mr Chenda urged the stakeholders in the dairy sector to identify appropriate technologies which farmers should adopt while prioritising the dissemination of good management practices which should be adopted by the dairy farmers.

And Parmalat Zambia managing director Piet Theron said the firm had been accredited with an international standard ISO 22000 certification by the international organisation for standardisation dealing with food safety.