Minister of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management Dusan Petrovic and Lithuanian Minister of Agriculture Kazys Starkevicius today opened the first working meeting of a project whose goal is the implementation of the Law on food safety, the Law on animal welfare and other by-laws.

Petrovic stressed that after the completion of this project in autumn in 2014, Serbia will be fully capable of establishing a system to guarantee the safety of food intended for the Serbian population, which will also create huge export opportunities.

Harmonising all procedures in Serbia with European regulations and practice is extremely important for continuing a positive trend in food export in Serbia, as well as for its improvement, the Minister observed.

He recalled that last year Serbia exported food to the amount of $2.7 billion, as well as that during the past decade, the EU has donated over €20 million for projects to strengthen the Veterinary Administration.

He also added that a procedure is under way for the allocation of another €10 million.

Implementation of the project for which the EU has allocated €4 million, aimed at eradication of rabies and swine fever, has begun, he said.

Petrovic said that this will qualify our country as an exporter of pork.

Head of EU Delegation in Serbia Vincent Degert pointed out to the importance of the project to improve food safety and animal welfare in Serbia, not only in terms of harmonisation of standards, but also in economic terms as it will increase the competitiveness of Serbian producers.

Starkevicius said that the realisation of this project will significantly improve the capacity of veterinary services in Serbia.

The project to improve food safety and animal welfare in Serbia, which will last until September 2014, aims to assist the Veterinary Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management in the implementation and monitoring of law enforcement in the field of veterinary medicine, as well as harmonising national with European standards.

Serbian experts will get help in the implementation of EU standards on food safety and animal welfare from colleagues from Lithuania, in cooperation with the Hungarian experts.