Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina Stasa Kosarac called on the competent institutions to submit opinions on the proposed decision on the introduction of levies and customs rates on imports of fresh and chilled beef and pork from the European Union
“The competent institutions must take this issue seriously and submit the need for an opinion as soon as possible so that we can consider the introduction of protective measures at the next session of the Council of Ministers of BiH. Slowing down this process is in direct opposition to our efforts to protect domestic producers, especially during a pandemic that threatens their livelihood,” said Kosarac.
According to him, it is necessary to use the existing mechanisms to protect domestic production from unfair competition from outside, respecting the international agreements that BiH has signed.
“By introducing levies and customs duties on imports, we meet the needs of our agricultural producers and enable them to continue and develop production. Therefore, I will vote for this measure and I expect my colleagues from the Council of Ministers of BiH to act in the same way,” said Kosarac.
He emphasized that, in parallel, consultations are being held with the European Commission on the proposed measures, which is an obligation from the Stabilization and Association Agreement, and that the harmonization of technical details is underway.
