Serbia Document de Pozitie

7/28/2019 Serbia Document de Pozitie

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Serbia's Position Paper on Chapter 11AGRICULTURE

The acquis agreementSerbia accepts the acquis agreement regarding Chapter 11 Agriculture and Rural

Development, which has entered into force on 01.01 2009. Serbia has unilaterally assumed 1

July 2013 as date for temporary closure with the European Union.

By the Government Conclusion 05 number: 011-8137/2007-10 of 9 October 2008, the National

Programme for Integration of the Republic of Serbia into the European Union (NPI) was

adopted; this document presents the legislative and administrative measures which shall be taken

to ensure that, before end of 2012, the country is ready to take on most of the obligations of EU

membership. It also provides that, before end of 2009, the Government is to be submitted

proposals of amendments to the National Programme that are aimed at its harmonisation with

new EU regulations and the European Commissions proposals for further reforms. After they

duly changed this document in the period between mid-September and the beginning of

November 2009, the subgroups of the Coordination Body for the EU Accession Process Expert

Group submitted their inputs to the Office for EU Integration, which integrated them, and in

order to make the content of the draft amended NPI publicly available, published it on SEIOs

website, pending its adoption by the Government in December 2009.

The European Council granted Serbia the status of candidate country on 1 March 2012, on the

basis of the Commission Opinion on Serbias membership application adopted on 12 October

2011. The Council concluded on 5 December 2011 that the opening of accession negotiations

will be considered by the European Council, in line with established practice, once the

Commission has assessed that Serbia has achieved the necessary degree of compliance with the

membership criteria, in particular the key priority of taking steps towards a visible and

sustainable improvement of relations with Kosovo, in line with the conditions of the Stabilisationand Association Process.


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1.3.Relations between the EU and Serbia

Serbia is participating in the Stabilisation and Association Process. The Stabilisation

and Association Agreement was signed, along with the Interim Agreement on trade and trade-

related matters, in April 2008. It provides a framework of mutual commitments on a wide range

of political, trade and economic issues. The Interim Agreement entered into force on 1 February

2010. At the 14 June 2010 Foreign Affairs Council, Ministers agreed to submit the Stabilisation

and Association Agreement to their parliaments for ratification. The process is close to

completion, with ratification still pending in only one Member State.

Serbia has built a positive track record in implementing the obligations of the Stabilisation and

Association Agreement and the Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters. An

interim committee and a number of sub-committees meet annually, to discuss topics including

the internal market, competition, transit traffic, trade, customs, taxation, agriculture and fisheries.

In general terms, Serbia is meeting its SAA/IA commitments in these areas and cooperation is

progressing well.

In January 2012, the Serbian government adopted a revised and updated version of the National

Programme for the Integration of Serbia in the European Union for the period 20082012, taking

account of the Commissions Opinion.

Political dialogue - meetings at ministerial level have been held since 2003. Policy dialogue

between the European Commission and the Serbian authorities has been taking place as part of

Enhanced Permanent Dialogue (EPD) since 2003. Inter-parliamentary meetings between

members of the European Parliament and of the Serbian parliament have been held annually

since 2006. The aim of this dialogue is to prepare Serbia for participation in multilateral

surveillance and economic policy coordination under the EUs Economic and Monetary Union.

In this context, was invited for the first time to the Council meeting on pre-accession fiscal

surveillancein May 2012.

Visa liberalisation - for citizens of Serbia travelling to the Schengen area has been in force

since December 2009. The Commission set up a post-visa-liberalisation monitoring mechanism

to assess whether the implementation of reforms introduced by the country was consistent with

the visa roadmap and sustainable. A readmission agreement between the European Union and

Serbia has been in force since January 2008.


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Financial assistance - is provided through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance

(IPA).IPA assistance is currently managed centrally by the EU Delegation in Belgrade. Serbia is

preparing for decentralised management of IPA funds. The Multiannual Indicative Planning

Document for the period 20112013 adopts a sector-based approach focusing assistance on the

following seven sectors: justice and home affairs; public administration reform; social

development; private sector development; transport; the environment, climate change and

energy; and agriculture and rural development.

Overall, between 2001 and 2012, the EU committed over 2.2 billion to Serbia in the form of

grants and 5.8 billion in the form of soft loans. For the period 2007-2012, the Commission has

earmarked 1,176 million for IPA projects to be implemented in the country.

Civil society in Serbia has received extensive financial support from the EU under the IPA Civil

Society Facility and national programmes, as well as through the European Instrument for

Democracy and Human Rights. Aid objectives include involving civil society more widely in

decision-making and increasing the capacity of independent civil society organisations.

Support for civil society under 2011 programmes stands at over 4.2 million.

POLITICAL CRITERIA

Require stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and

respect for and protection of minorities. It also monitors regional cooperation, good neighbourly

relations with enlargement countries and Member States and compliance with international

obligations, such as cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former

Yugoslavia (ICTY).

Democracy and the rule of law

Constitution

The Constitution is largely in line with European standards. However, some provisions still

need to fully reflect the recommendations of the Venice Commission in its Opinion of March

2007, in particular those allowing control by political parties over parliamentary mandates and

those providing for an excessive parliamentary role in appointments and dismissals, particularly

in the judicial system.

Parliament


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In the 2011 autumn session, several laws arising from the National Plan for Integration into the

EU were adopted. Parliamentary activities slowed down in the run-up to and during the electoral

campaign. The parliament developed its use of public hearings, including one on its role in the

EU integration process in January 2012 and another on access to IPA funds in March 2012.

AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

11.1. Agriculture

11.1.1. Current status

15 important laws were adopted and many of them implemented in 2009, and those referring to

Agriculture (according to Chapter 11) are: the Law on Agriculture and Rural Development

(Official Gazette RS, No. 41/09), Law on Livestock Farming (Official Gazette RS, No. 41/09),

Law on Wine (Official Gazette RS, No. 41/09), Law on Fruit Spirit Rakija and Other Spirit

Drinks (Official Gazette RS, No. 41/09), Law on Ethyl Alcohol (Official Gazette RS, No. 41/09)

Law on Agricultural Land (Official Gazette RS, No. 62/06, 41/09), Law on Public Storage

Facilities for Agricultural Products (Official Gazette RS, No. 41/09), Rulebook on Raw Milk

Quality (Official Gazette RS, No. 21/09), etc.

In the field of Agrarian Policy, the Agrarian Operative Sector is in charge of payments, i.e.

implementation of agrarian policy measures.The General Inspectorate of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management is in charge of

inspection surveillance, based on the following legal framework:

Law on Food Safety (Official Gazette RS, No. 41/09); Law on Wine (Official Gazette RS, No. 41/09); Law on Fruit Spirit "Rakija" and Other Spirit Drinks (Official Gazette RS, No.

41/09),(EC Regulation No. 110/08)

Law on Ethyl Alcohol, (Official Gazette RS, No. 41/09), (EC Regulation No. 670/2003,2336/2003)

Law on Agricultural Land (Official Gazette RS, No. 49/92, 53/93,67/93, 48/94, 46/95,54/96 and 14/00);

Law on Livestock Farming (Official Gazette RS, No. 41/09); Law on Tobacco (Official Gazette RS, No. 101/05, 90/07);


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Law on Organic Production and Organic Products (Official Gazette RS, No. 62/06); Law on Technical Requirements for Products and Assessment of Product Alignment

with the Statutory Requirements (Official Gazette SMN, No. 44/05);

Other bylawsRulebooks in force lay down in details conditions regarding quality and other

requirements that should be met in the production, processing and marketing process of

agricultural foodstuffs. Alignment of certain rulebooks with EU rules is at various levels

11.1.1.2. Institutional Framework

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management (MAFWM) of the Republic of

Serbia is the competent institution for creating and defining agricultural policy. The internal

organisational structure of the Ministry consists of: Sector for Analysis and Agrarian Policy ;

Rural Development Sector; Agrarian Operative and Financial Management Sector; General

Inspectorate for Agriculture, Forestry and WaterManagement; Sector for Legal, General and

Normative Affairs, as well as Directorates within the Ministry: Veterinary Directorate, Plant

Protection Directorate, ForestryDirectorate, Agrarian Payments Directorate, Agricultural Land

Directorate, National Reference Laboratory Directorate and Republic Water Management

Directorate.

The Agrarian Payments Directorate was officially opened on 19 October 2009 and its HeadOffice is located in abac. The main reason for establishment of this institution was to deal with

all payments in agriculture and meet the requirements for the use of financial resources from EU

funds. As of 1 January 2010, the Agrarian Payments

Directorate will take over all payments in agriculture which have so far been performed in

cooperation with the Treasury Administration of the Ministry of Finance. Besides the payments

in line with the national scheme, a preparatory procedure for establishment of the Accreditation

Directorate has started in compliance with strict EU standards set out in Regulations

1085/2006/EC and 718/2007/EC that are the legal basis for benefiting from EU IPA funds. After

it receives full accreditation, the Directorate will continue strengthening its capacities in order to

be ready for integration into the EU Common Agricultural Policy, after the country becomes a

Member State.


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Agricultural statistics

With the aim of harmonisation with regulations relating to statistical research, the MAFWM will

actively cooperate with the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia in implementation of the

complete agricultural census which is to be conducted in 2011.

As of February 2009, an IPA Project concerning the preparations for agricultural census was

begun. Preparations are currently being made for implementation of a trial agricultural census,

which is to be carried out in December 2009. The aim of the trial census is to test the

methodology, forms and other tools for implementation of the census.

11.2. Rural Development


Provisions relating to rural development are partially harmonised with EU legislation.

11.2.1.1. Legislative framework

The Law on Agriculture and Rural Development, (Official Gazette RS, No.41/2009) in

compliance with EC Regulation No.1698/2005 and 1985/2006


The field of rural development within MAFWM of the RS is under the competence of the Rural

Development Sector and 35 expert advisory institutions(extension services) performing

conferred advisory and other tasks of the MAFWM, and they encompass institutes, offices, and

agricultural stations. The completed changes made to the legal status of agricultural services,established by the Government Decision as "Agricultural Expert Extension Services Ltd (a

limited liability company that uses national funds for performance of its duties).

The MAFWM has formed the Rural Development Support Network consisting of fifteen

Regional and 140 Local Offices on the territory of the Republic of Serbia. (territorial coverage

90%) The aim of these offices is to enhance regional connectivity by creating active links

between state authorities and the local community, to provide anunobstructed two-way

information flow and to prepare local communities for the implementation of the LEADER

method and establishment of Local Action Groups (LAG).

11.2.2. Priorities for 2010, 2011, and 2012.


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National Rural Development Programme for 2009/102013

Strategy on Development of Agricultural Advisory System in Serbia with an aim of organising

and improving the work of agricultural extension services in compliance with EC Regulation

1782 /2003 and 1783/2003 and their later amendments and Corrigendum.

The Law on performance of advisory and expert tasks in the field of agriculture in compliance

with EC Regulation 1782 /2003 and 1783/2003 and their later amendments and Corrigendum.

Rulebook on execution of advisory tasks in agriculture

Rulebook on issuing licences for execution of advisory tasks in agriculture

Rulebook on keeping the Register of Agricultural Advisors

11.3. Organisation of the agriculture market


In the field of Agrarian Policy, the Project Approval and Agrarian Operative Sector is in charge

of payments, i.e. implementation of agrarian policy measures.

Individual agrarian policy measures are adopted by the Government of the Republic of Serbia

annually, based on the Law on the Budget of the Republic of Serbia and the Programmes for

allocation and use of financial support in the field of agriculture, forestry and water management

developed on the basis of separate regulations. After adoption of the Law on Agriculture andRural Development defining types of support, a special legal basis was formed, based on which

individual agrarian policy measures will be adopted. All the abovementioned provisions are

published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia. Pursuant to the Law on Agriculture

and Rural Development, all financial support is divided into: direct payments (premiums,

subsidies for production, refunds, support for non-commercial family farms), market measures

(export subsidies,storage expenses, credit support) and structural measures.

11.3.1. 1. Legislative framework


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Besides the Law on the Budget (Official Gazette RS, No. 120/08) and the Law on Agriculture

and Rural Development, (Official Gazette RS, No. 41/09), a large number of bylaws were

adopted in 2009.

11.3.1.2. Institutional framework

The part of MAFWM in charge of implementation of agrarian policy measures is the Project

Approval and Agrarian Operative Sector. In August 2009, the Agrarian Payments Directorate

was established as an authority within MAFWM, and it officially started operating on 19

October 2009. The plan is that as of 1 January 2010, the Agrarian Payments Directorate takes

over all payments in agriculture, including direct payments per hectare and per head of cattle.

11.3.2. Priorities for 2010, 2011 and 2012.


At the beginning of each year (2010, 2011, 1012), the National Programme is adopted, based on

which bylaws projecting agrarian policy measures for each year are also adopted. All the

measures can be divided into three groups, in compliance with the Law on Agriculture and Rural

Development (Official Gazette RS, No. 41/09); direct payments (premiums, subsidies for

production, refunds, support for non-commercial family farms), market measures (export

subsidies, storage expenses, credit support) and structural measures.

11.3.2.2. Institutional framework

In 2010, the Agrarian Payments Directorate will take over control over the complete payment

system in agriculture from the Treasury Administration within the Ministry of Finance. Besides

the implementation of the National Programme, the Agrarian Payments Directorate will start the

accreditation process for the use of the fifth component (V) of IPA funds earmarked for rural

development. The complete accreditation of the Directorate for the three selected IPARD

measures is expected to be gained in 2012.


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11.4. Quality policy

11.4. 1. Current status

Quality policy, through quality schemes, such as Protected Designation of Origin and Protected

Geographical Designation of agricultural products and foodstuffs, contributes to the generation

of economic and cultural values of a country.

Goals of Quality Policy:

To raise the production volume of "value added products, i.e. products with qualitydesignations.

To raise awareness of both producers and consumers about the need for improvement ofquality of products

Environmental protection and diversification of production To sustain live" rural areasand provide economic support to poorly developed regions.

To prevent the decrease of trust in the products with designated geographical origin Consumer protectionclear labels To guarantee qualityestablishment of an efficient control system

11.4. 1. 1. Legislative framework

The Law on Food Safety (Official Gazette RS, No. 41/09), adopted on 29 May 2009,

harmonised with Regulation No 178/2002/EC, which is a general legislation on food in the EU,

and partially harmonised with Regulations No 852/2004; 853/2004/ 854/2004; 882/2004;

183/2005; 258/97; 1829/2003; Directives No 89/662/EEC; 89/109/EEC; 2000/13/EC, and

Commission Decision No 2007/275/EC etc. The harmonisation will be completed by adoption of

special provisions (bylaws) on certain control areas, in compliance with EU rules.

11.4. 1. 2. Institutional framework

Pursuant to the Law on Geographical Designations, the Intellectual PropertyOffice is obliged to obtain an opinion of the MAFWM in the process of registering either the

name of origin or the designation of geographical origin.

Control and certification of products with designated geographical origin are under the

competence of the MAFWM. Certification bodies the control of quality and specific features

of agricultural products and foodstuffs with designated geographical origin is performed by


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certification bodies that are authorised by the MAFWM and accredited by the Serbian

Accreditation Body in compliance with relevant standards and accreditation rules. The Minister

of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management defines in details the conditions, manner and

procedure for the control of quality and specific features of agricultural products and foodstuffs.

11.4. 2. Priorities for 2010, 2011 and 2012.

11.4.2.1 Priorities for 2010.

11.4.2.1.1. Legislative framework

The Rulebook on labelling agricultural products and foodstuffs with designated geographical

origin, in line with the Law on Geographical Designations (the Law) is to an appreciable extent

approximated to Council Regulation (EC) No 509/2006 on agricultural products and foodstuffs

as traditional specialties guaranteed and Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection

of geographical designations and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs,

and to the Commission Regulation No 1898/2006 laying down detailed rules on implementation

of Council Regulation (EC) 510/2006 on the protection of geographical designations and

designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs. The Law is adopted by the

Intellectual Property Office.



The Rulebook establishing conditions that certification bodies need to meet in order to certify the

harmonisation of production of agricultural products and foodstuffs with designated geographical

origin with the elaborate - specification (Regulation (EC) No 509/2006, and No 510/2006,

Regulation (EC) No 1216/2007, Regulation (EC) No 1898/2006, Regulation No 882/2004).

11.5. Organic production

11.5. 1. Current status

In 2009, the MAFWM provided financial support to organic producers and producers of seeds

produced by the organic production method.

In July 2009, a draft of the National Action Plan for the development of organic agriculture was

made, defining activities for the development of organic agriculture in the Republic of Serbia for

the period 2010-2015.


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In 2009, four certification organisations received authorisation from the MAFWM to perform

controls and issue certificates in the field of organic production.

11.5. 1. 1. Legislative framework

Organic production in the Republic of Serbia is regulated by the Law on Organic Production and

Organic Products (Official Gazette RS, No. 62/06).

The Law was prepared in compliance with Council Regulation EEC No 2092/91 on organic

production of agricultural products and designations referring thereto on agricultural products

and foodstuffs.

The Law and bylaws lay down in details the rules relating to the production,processing, storage,

transport, marketing, and labelling of organic products, as well as to some other issues in this

field.

11.5. 1. 2. Institutional framework

The authority competent for organic production in the Republic of Serbia is the Ministry of

Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Sector for Analysis and Agrarian Policy.

Legal entities, i.e. organisations for issuing certificates or re-certifications are delegated with the

tasks of supervision and certification in the field of organic production.

The competent authority for organic production, in compliance with relevant provisions,

authorises organisations for issuing certificates or re-certifications if they have fulfilled

subscribed conditions, issues decrees on the use of reproductive material which is not produced

by organic production methods, keeps a unique register of producers and land under organic

production, issues decrees on reduction or extension of the conversion period.

11.5. 2. Priorities for 2010, 2011 and 2012.




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With the EU Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument (TAIEX), a new draft

Law on Organic Production was completed in compliance with Council Regulation (EC) No

834/07 and Commission Regulation No 889/08. The adoption of the Law is expected at the end

of 2009 or the beginning of 2010, and its implementation will start as of 1 January 2011. The

implementation of the Law is delayed due to the fact that the Serbian Accreditation Body (SAB)

has not yet been accredited on an international level (it is in the assessment process at the

moment), and the new draft Law on Organic Production envisages that the supervision and

certification functions can be performed by supervision organisations accredited by SAB.

During 2010, accompanying bylaws will be drafted in compliance with Council Regulation

(EEC) No 834/07 and Commission Regulation No 889/08.



During 2011, the Rulebook on organic livestock production methods, which will be drafted in

compliance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 834/07 and Commission Regulation No 889/08

and which will repeal the Rulebook on organic livestock production methods (Official Gazette

FRY 51/2002), will be adopted if the implementation of the new Law on Organic Production is

delayed.

12 FOOD SAFETY, VETERINARY AND PHYTOSANITARY POLICY

12.1 Food safety and inspection

12.1.1 Current status

Provisions relating to food safety and inspection are partially harmonised with EU legislation.

The Law on Food Safety has come into force establishing a comprehensive and integrated

inspection system in the food and feed safety field. The abovementioned Law is drafted by the

competent authority (MAFWM) and is the basis for establishment of the following: Central

Register of food and feed business operators, system of reference laboratories, and Directorate

for national reference laboratories, Expert Council for food safety, traceability system in all areas

of inspection and communication regarding risks,Rapid Notification and Alarm System, and

Emergency measures for crisis management.


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Establishment of the Expert Council as an independent and scientific body for risk assessment

will enable measures based on scientific data to be adopted in order to pursue objectives of this

Law (high level of protection of human life and health and the protection of consumer interests,

including fair practices in food trade, taking account of, where appropriate, the protection of

animal health and welfare, plant health and the environment).

Food and feed business operators will have basic legal responsibility for food and feed safety,

and an obligation to introduce and implement self-regulation measures (good production and

hygiene practice and hazard analysis and critical control points system -HACCP).

Establishment of a Rapid Notification and Alarm System will improve the exchange of

information on food and feed hazards, and inspection services will follow relevant unified

procedures (recognized and equivalent to official controls in the EU), and the relevant legislation

will be equally implemented for both food and feed domestic and international trade.

Policymaking related to this field will be focused on crucial issues, and reaction to food and feed

hazard occurrence will be significantly faster.


In 2009, the Law on Food Safety was adopted (Official Gazette RS No 41/2009), and

harmonised with Regulation No 178/2002/EC, which is a general law on food in the EU.


The Veterinary Directorate as an authority within the MAFWM, provided for in Article 8 of the

Law on Ministries (Official Gazette RS No 65/08 and 65/09), performs public administration and

expert duties relating to the following: animal health protection; veterinary and sanitary control

of the production and control in internal and external marketing of animals, products, raw

materials and animal origin waste, semen for artificial insemination, inseminated ova for animal

breeding, embryos and other organisms and objects that can transfer diseases, inspection of feed

and components for feed production; registration and control of establishments producing

foodstuffs of animal origin (slaughter houses, dairy plants, etc.); control of establishments

producing feed and safe disposal of animal carcasses and animal origin waste and their

processing plants; control of internal and external marketing of veterinary medicaments and

biological products; as well as other tasks envisaged by the law.


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12.2. Plant health


Legislation relating to plant health is partially harmonised with the EU legislation.


Pursuant to NPI priorities, the following was adopted:

The Law on Plant Health (Official Gazette RS No 41/2009) providing for the protection and

improvement of plant health; protective measures against introduction and spread of harmful

organisms and measures for revealing and control of harmful organisms; phytosanitary

inspection; laying down conditions for production, processing, finishing, import, storage and

trade in plant, plant products and relevant facilities, as well as conditions for providing plant

protection services. Also, this Law provides for the implementation of international

responsibilities in accordance with the provisions of IPPC, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

(SPS Agreement), international conventions and other international agreements, and for the

exchange of information with other national organisations in charge of plant health care. The

Law complies with the main principles of Council Directive 2000/29/EC, and its further

harmonisation with relevant EU legislation will be achieved by the adoption of bylaws.

Bylaws will be adopted in the fourth quarter of 2009.


The structure of the Phytosanitary System in the Republic of Serbia (RS) encompasses:

Plant Protection Directorate in the MAFWM of RS - central institution for plant health matters

Phytosanitary inspection of the General Inspectorate in the MAFWM of RS.

Agricultural expert services (34) - regional services that perform health checks of plants, seed,

seedlings, planting material, issue certificates on plant health conditions, post-quarantine

supervision, health checks of plant consignments intended for export, issue phytosanitary

certificates for export and re-export,

implement annual programme of plant health measures. Regional phytosanitary laboratories (5)

these five services perform laboratory tests on plant samples for the presence of harmful

organisms in the following plants: 1) small and Prosolika grains and vegetables without


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Solanacea 2) Industrial and fodder plants; 3) Solanaceae; 4) grapes and soft fruit; 5) apple-type

and stone fruit.

Authorised laboratories of scientific institutes and faculties - authorised for providing expertise

and performing laboratory tests until the Ministry of

Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management (MAFWM) has finished the complete

identification of a harmful organism.

Reference phytosanitary laboratory within the Directorate for National Reference Laboratories

within the MAFWM of the RS.

12.3 Seed and planting material

Current status

The legislation relating to seed and planting material is partially harmonised with EU

legislation.


Draft law on reproductive material of agricultural and horticultural plants will be drafted in the

fourth quarter of 2009 and will be the start of harmonisation of the Serbian legislation with the

basic EU Directives in this field. Council Directive 68/193/EEC, Council Directive 98/56/EC,

Council Directive 2008/90/EC, Council Directive 2008/72/EC

12.4 Plant protection products and residues


The legislation relating to plant protection products and residues is partially harmonised with EU

legislation.


In compliance with NPI priorities, the Law on Plant Protection Products was adopted in 2009

and provides the basis for establishment, maintenance and improvement of a unique system of

registration, marketing and application of plant protection products(PPP) and residues.

The deadline for adoption of bylaws based on the abovementioned Law is 10 June 2012, and

until new bylaws are adopted, the existing provisions in force were adopted in line with the Law


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on Plant Protection, the Law on production and trade of poisonous substances and the Law on

the safety of foodstuffs and subjects of general use.

Pursuant to the NPI priorities, Rulebook proposals have been drafted and their adoption is

planned for the last quarter of 2009.


Registration of PPP in compliance with the Law on Plant Protection Products will be carried out

i n two phases. The implementation of Articles 11 to 25 will start on 31 December 2013.

Registration of PPP will be carried out in compliance with provisions of the Law on Plant

Protection and the Law on production and trade of poisonous substances, until 31 December

2013.

This time frame will enable capacity building in the Republic of Serbia for the complete

application of legislation (assessment of active substances and PPP), and for stakeholders it will

provide some time to adjust their business operations to the new Law (e.g. creation of

registration files).

The basis for national institutional capacity strengthening and for the establishment of a unit for

the assessment of PPP (Department for plant protection products and plant nutrients) within the

Plant Protection Directorate will be the IPA 2008 project "Harmonizing national regulations

referring to registration, sale and control of pesticides with EU regulations and their

applications", and in October 2009, a Twining partner was chosen for this.

12.5. Veterinary policy

12.5.1 Current status

Legislation relating to veterinary policy in Serbia is partially harmonised with relevant EU

legislation.


The Law on Food Safety (Official Gazette RS No 41/09) and the Law on Animal Welfare

(Official Gazette RS No 41/09) were adopted in 2009.



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The Veterinary Directorate as an authority within the MAFWM, provided for in Article 8 of the

Law on Ministries (Official Gazette RS No 65/08 and 65/09), performs public administration and

expert duties relating to the following: animal health protection; veterinary and sanitary control

of the production and control in internal and external marketing of animals, products, raw

materials and animal origin waste, semen for artificial insemination, inseminated ova for animal

breeding, embryos and other organisms and objects that can transfer diseases, inspection of feed

and components for feed production; registration and control of establishments producing

foodstuffs of animal origin (slaughter houses, dairy plants, etc.); control of establishments

producing feed and safe disposal of animal carcasses and animal origin waste and their

processing plants; control of internal and external marketing of veterinary medicaments and

biological products; as well as other tasks envisaged by the law.

13. FISHERIES


The legislation relating to fishery is partially harmonised with relevant EU legislation.


In 2009 the following legislation was adopted: The Law on Conservation and Sustainable Use of

Fish Stock (Official Gazette RS No 36/09), the Law on Livestock Farming (Official Gazette RS

No 41/09) and numerous bylaws.13.1.1.2. Institutional Framework

MAFWM is in charge of fishery-related tasks, and the Ministry of Environment and Spatial

Planning (MESP) has competences over some of the tasks. By bringing the Law on Livestock

Farming (Official Gazette RS No 41/09) into force, MAFWM gained competence over

aquaculture, providing for the provisions relating to the following: Fish farming establishments,

conditions that are to be met as regards fish farming establishments and equipment, conditions

that are to be met as regards introduction of fish and other aquatic animals into fish farming

establishments.

The Veterinary Directorate within MAFWM is in charge of the following:registration of

establishments both on land (fish and fish-origin product processing plants) and on ships, control

and supervision of production and trade (internal and international) in fish and fish products,

control of health condition of live fish, control of fish and fish product quality, monitoring of


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residues in live fish, as well as of the goods that require veterinary and sanitary control for

import, export and transport, products from processed meat, fish, molluscs, shellfish or other

water invertebrates. In carp laboratories (fish ponds), the laboratory control of fish health is

conducted (erytrodermatitis, spring viremia and carp bubble inflammation).

The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning is in charge of: managing fishing stocks in

fishing waters, which entails preservation and sustainable use, catch and trade in fish; sustainable

use of fish stocks which contributes to preservation of ichtiofaunistic diversity and ecological

integrity of water eco-systems; defining conditions to be met as regards commercial, maritime,

and sport fishing as well as fishing for scientific research purposes and electrical fishing. .

Genetically modified organisms

MAFWM is competent for tasks relating to genetically modified organisms, and they are

elaborated in 3.27.7

Industrial property rights

Protection of the rights of cultivators of plant variety MAFWM is competent for tasks relating

to the protection of rights of cultivators of plant variety, and they are elaborated in 3.7.2.

Documents

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