Round Table on Coordination Between BiH Veterinary Institutions

On 3-4 April 2007, a round table discussion on the subject “Improved coordination between the BiH veterinary institutions and other related bodies and agencies for the purpose of acquis alignment and enhanced export position towards the EU” was held in Sarajevo.

The participants discussed issues related to improved coordination between the BiH veterinary services and other relevant institutions and bodies in order to enhance consumer protection in BiH as well as to support the country’s efforts to comply with EU legislation in the fields of animal health and welfare, plant health and food safety.

The event aimed to present and assess the main competencies of the three BiH Agencies for Veterinary, Phytosanitary and Food Safety, as well as to compare them to similar institutions in EU Member State. Participants learned about the European Union’s import requirements and the standards in the field of animal and public health, as well as food safety, which non-EU Member States must meet to be able to export animals and animal products to the EU. Recommendations on institutional improvement will ensue, in order to enhance BiH’s position regarding export to the EU in the future.

The event was held in the framework of the ongoing EU-funded Twinning project “Support to the State Veterinary Office”, which began in July 2006 and will last for two years. The BiH State Veterinary Office and its twinning partner, the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of Germany, jointly organised the event.

Although the main focus of the twinning assistance is to increase the capacities of the BiH veterinary services, so as to comply with the EU approximation requirements, the overall objective is to prepare the veterinary sector for future export of live animals and animal products to EU Member States.

Europa.ba