The veterinary sector forms the backbone of agriculture, food safety and human health. For Bosnia and Herzegovina to export as many products of animal origin primarily on the European Union market, and create new markets, it is necessary to have a modern and efficient system of animal health, in accordance with the prescribed requirements and standards of the European Union.
This contributed to that, the Twinning project support project in BiH, which funded the European Union with 3m euros. In the past four and a half years, experts from Austria, France and Croatia worked with colleagues from BiH to improve the legislative framework in the field of veterinaryism and its harmonization with the acquis communautaire, seminars, practical representations and simulations of numerous procedures in this area.
The completion of the project was marked in Sarajevo today, at a conference that gathered key actors in this area, where the main results of the project are presented. The head of the Operational Department for Economic Development, Natural Resources and Infrastructure in the Delegation of the European Union to BiH Antonella Di Sandri pointed out that the project is to improve the health and welfare of animals, and the preservation of human health, and strengthening the country’s economic potential.
“I am extremely pleased that our experts had the opportunity to work with colleagues from Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the Proceedings, the development of agricultural sectors, the development of humanity and health. This partnership shows that we can achieve concrete and sustainable results. The EU continues. Support Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to EU membership, with the application of European standards that make the concrete benefit to its citizens across the country, “said Di Sandra.
The project identified weaknesses in the legislative framework and enabled the Veterinary Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina to respond to the risks for the health and welfare of animals, and improve the management of animal-origin by-products. More than 50 draft legislative acts were made, including numerous regulations, operational procedures and emergency action plans, which are ready for adoption and application by the competent institutions.
“Today, one important project in Bosnia and Herzegovina is completed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in full thanks to the European Union, and the Project. The TWinning project was completed. Twinning project. EU legislation is developed through three components of animal health and animal welfare. In the end of the Project, I am with the Project of BiH, the Protection of Health. MED Pavo Radić, Deputy Office / Office for BiH Veterinary Office.
The project has jointly implemented the leading institutions from the three EU member states and food safety (ages), the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture, in close cooperation with the BiH Veterinary Office and the Entity Bodies, and the Brcko BiH District Services.
In addition to capacity building and legislative basis, the project strengthened the daily work of veterinary inspectors and officers in BiH through practical training in field conditions. The introduction of standard operational procedures and preparations of animal disease control plans are key to an efficient response to infectious diseases, such as African plague, brucellosis or bird flu.
Through this project, the Veterinary Sector of BiH has acquired a valuable knowledge for EU requirements and standards, improved the staff skills of different services and thus increased the potential for better health and animal protection, as well as products of animal origin. Now is the responsibility of domestic institutions to take advantage of these results and complete the harmonization process.
