EU project “Let’s Protect Animal Health” resulted in the creation of key legislation to strengthen the veterinary sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina

 The European Union project “Let’s Protect Animal Health – for a Safe and Healthy Life!” aims to strengthen the veterinary sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, resulting in the development of key legislation that is already ready for adoption and further implementation by the competent authorities of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

At a press conference, the results of the project were discussed by the head of the Department for Economic Development and Infrastructure at the EU Delegation in BiH, Antonella Di Sandri, the Austrian Ambassador to BiH, Georg Diwald, the Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy, Stephan Maicon, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia, Zvjezdana Borovac, the project leader, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Austria, Ulrich Herzog, and the Deputy Director of the Office for Veterinary Affairs of BiH, the project leader from the beneficiary country, Pavo Radić.

They highlighted the experiences gained in this area, urgent priorities, risks, as well as opportunities for Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to the EU.

Di Sandri assessed that the project has helped the BiH veterinary sector to further align with EU standards, strengthened the food safety sector, animal health, and opened new markets for export, especially for export to the EU.

– This is a significant step forward that has made local products more competitive and ensured food safety for all. The project resulted in the development of key legislation that is already ready for adoption and further implementation by the competent authorities of the state – said Di Sandri.

She reminded that this project is a continuation of a series of projects in BiH in which the EU has invested 20 million euros in the veterinary sector over the last 15 years, thus securing funds for specialized and IT equipment, vehicles, expertise, vaccines, and training.

– In this way, the EU actually wants to show its full commitment to building a more efficient veterinary system in BiH. Now it is up to the state to continue working on this, to upgrade its legislation, and to implement what has been built within the project – she emphasized.

It is of exceptional importance, she underlined, that BiH accelerates its reforms, aligns its laws with the EU acquis, and establishes systems to ensure the safety of plants, animals, and people.

Herzog reminded that since the beginning of the project in 2020, which the EU financed with three million euros, many activities aimed at achieving important goals in the field of veterinary medicine have been implemented.

– We can say that the project has fulfilled its purpose – it has established a connection between these people who will continue to cooperate – said Herzog.

During 300 expert missions, more than 50 drafts of legal acts and implementation documents have been developed, which will enable the improvement of the operational framework and the efficiency of the veterinary service in BiH.

As part of the project, around 100 different trainings, workshops, and field demonstrations of the practical implementation of relevant procedures were organized, in which more than 1600 veterinary service officials from BiH participated.

The Deputy Director of the Office for Veterinary Affairs of BiH and project leader Pavo Radić stated that they developed the project through three components – animal health, animal welfare, and animal by-products.

– The goal of the project was to bring BiH legislation closer to EU legislation. Today, I can confidently say that we have achieved this and that today in Bosnia and Herzegovina we can talk about safer food, better protection of animal health, and better protection of human health – Radić emphasized.

The project was implemented by leading institutions from three EU member states, the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the French Republic, and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia. (24.04)