The Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Staša Košarac, ordered increased control over the presence of African swine fever when importing meat from the region, the European Union and other markets.
“I instructed the Veterinary Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina to accept the request of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republik Srpska and to introduce a measure of strict and intensive control over the presence of African swine fever when importing meat,” Košarac said.
He added that the goal is to support the efforts of the institutions of the Republika Srpska, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Brčko District in suppressing and preventing the spread of this infectious disease, and preserve the existing resources in pig farming.
Košarac noted that the institutions of Republika Srpska, FBiH and Brčko District regularly monitor the situation on the ground and that on a daily basis they take the necessary measures to control African swine fever, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations announced.
He explained that in the fight against African swine fever, there is coordination of activities and regular communication with the competent institutions of Republika Srpska, the Federation of BiH and Brčko District, and that the joint level must contribute to such efforts.
“That’s why we are determined to help the competent institutions of Republika Srpska, FBiH and Brčko District with adequate measures and the introduction of increased control over meat imports in suppressing and preventing the spread of African swine fever, as well as remediating the consequences,” said Košarac.
He noted that the existing ban on the import of live pigs, fresh meat from domestic and wild pigs, and meat products from the regions of Croatia, Serbia and other countries where African swine fever is present remains in force.
“We will monitor the effects of the measures taken and the situation on the ground, and in coordination and cooperation with the competent bodies in the Republika Srpska, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Brčko District, we will continue to work on the suppression and prevention of this infectious disease,” said Košarac.
He recalled that he had asked the Council of Ministers to temporarily allocate one million BAM from the current budget reserve of the institutions of BiH for remediation of the consequences of the spread of African swine fever.
Košarac also pointed out that recently, at the request of his ministry and the BiH Veterinary Office, international experts in charge of animal health visited the area of Bijeljina and Brčko District and, in cooperation with veterinarians from the RS, gave recommendations on what needs to be done in order to prevented the spread of African swine fever.
