Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH should send an official request for the arrival of the delegation of the DG Food and Health Safety of the EU from Dublin. This inspection should check the situation in companies that produce chicken meat and table eggs and issue them permits for the export to the EU market. The request should be submitted by the end of September.
Around 20 companies from BiH already applied for the audit.
“I think it would be smart to reduce the number of companies to four or five companies that the inspectors will visit. The other companies will not remain deprived of the chance to obtain permit, but the experience with milk tells us that the best thing is to call only the companies that have prepared the best. Other companies will have their turn later, because after this inspection the export permits will be issued by the Veterinary Office of BiH,” Šarović said.
Šarović highlighted that almost all recommendations previously given by inspectors from Dublin have already been implemented. This also includes the adoption of the regulations of the Agency for Food Safety and the Veterinary Office of BiH. Moreover, entity inspection bodies have arranged a monitoring system, as well as some other matters under their jurisdiction.
“The companies interested in export have also done some work on removing the defined deficiencies in their way of work, hygiene and the like. I am optimistic. I think we are very close to obtaining those permits and I hope for a pleasant surprise,” said Šarović.
When making a decision on issuing permits for export to the EU market, the food and health inspectors execute control of a larger number of areas important for food production. First of all, the check whether the legislation of the country where they conduct control is compliant with EU directives. They also check whether there are any domestic institutions that should be conducting control and whether those institutions are fit to conduct inspections in accordance with EU standards. They also check whether there is the label for country of origin on the products.
Only after these steps, the companies are being checked. This check includes control of conditions in which live animals are held, hygienic and technical conditions of slaughtering, as well as meat processing. Inspectors check storage and cooling rooms where finished products are stored. Workers are also on the radar, and the inspectors check whether they meet the sanitary requirements of EU for working in food industry plants. Practically, inspectors from Dublin conduct detailed scan of all segments important for production of food.
(Source: fokus.ba)
