Amman, July 8 (Petra) -- Agriculture Minister Saeb Khuraisat on Wednesday said repeated health and regulatory violations prompted the closure of the Black Iris Zoo to visitors, despite the zoo's management being given time to address the deficiencies.

Speaking during a meeting of the Parliamentary Agriculture and Water Committee, chaired by MP Ahmed Shdeifat, Khuraisat said the most serious violations included the absence of a full-time veterinarian, failure to comply with animal housing requirements, and allowing direct contact between visitors and animals.

He stressed that the closure applies only to visitor admissions and does not affect the care of animals at the facility, affirming that veterinary and animal welfare services continue uninterrupted.

The minister said the Ministry of Agriculture remains committed to enforcing all health and veterinary regulations to safeguard public health and ensure compliance with established standards.

During the meeting, committee members discussed several issues related to the agricultural sector, including support for farmers, agricultural development, and the role of universities in advancing scientific research and innovation.

Committee Chair Ahmed Shdeifat said oversight of the agricultural and environmental sectors is essential to protecting the public interest and ensuring compliance with health and veterinary requirements.

Khuraisat also highlighted the ministry's continued support for smart agriculture and hydroponic farming projects, efforts to protect agricultural land, and the issuance of certificates of origin to safeguard farmers' rights and verify product sources.

Meanwhile, Acting Director General of the National Agricultural Research Center Zakaria Moslem called for stronger cooperation among government institutions, universities, and the agricultural sector to promote innovation, expand applied scientific research, and improve agricultural productivity.

Deans of agricultural colleges from several universities also underscored the importance of integrating artificial intelligence and digital transformation into agricultural education and research to prepare graduates for emerging scientific and technological developments.

//Petra// AJ