Representatives of several associations of farmers from FBiH, after yesterday's meeting in Bihac on the program of expenditures-support for agriculture, established with the FBiH budget for this year, decided that on 8 August they will hold protests at four border crossings and in front of the Federal Government building in Sarajevo.

Farmers are demanding resignation of the FBiH Minister of Agriculture, payment of debts for incentives from the last and first quarter of this year in an expedited procedure and repealing the decisions of the government until the change of the program and the rulebook.

"The program adopted by the government was announced by the FBiH Agriculture Minister Jerko Ivankovic Lijanovic at its discretion, as it fits him," said President of the Coordinating Association of Farmers of FBiH Mehmed Niksic.

According to him, the program and the rulebook were not seen by any of the associations and there should have been a public debate before its adoption.

“Although the funding of 54 million KM is not enough we are not seeking more money, but we are asking for a more transparent and regular distribution,” Niksic said.

It was concluded that the representatives of agricultural associations shall attend the meeting that the departmental minister called for Thursday, 4 August in Sarajevo, after which they will decide whether they would just hold a protest, or will go in complete blockade of border crossings and the building of the Government of FBiH.

If they opt for a blockade, it will last until their demands are met.

Even though representatives of the legislative and executive authorities of the Federation of BiH, the High Representative, and representatives of the EU Delegation in BiH were invited to the meeting, no one showed up.

“The meeting was attended only by Assistant Minister Stipe Sakic who could not give any answers, but argued that these debts were from the previous government's mandate, which is beyond any reason,“ said president of the municipal association of farmers of Una-Sana Canton Husejin Smajlovic.

According to him, Una-Sana Canton has been the one most affected by this program and debt from last year and debt for the first three months of this year have grown to more than 5 million KM.

With this program, agricultural production will be reduced this year by more than 35 percent and if this continues over the next four years there will be no cows left in this canton, says Smajlovic.