BiH still lacks ratified agreement with China on cooperation in animal health and quarantine

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Former Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH Mirko Šarović and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of PR China Han Changfu signed the Agreement between the Government of PR China and the Council of Ministers of BiH on Cooperation in the Field of Animal Health and Quarantine in Sofia on July 7, 2018, but the agreement has never been ratified.
This is expected to happen on February 4 at a session of the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliament.

The agreement stipulates that the signatory parties accept the concept of "One World, One Health" and establish mechanisms for cooperation in the field of cross-border animal disease control. Given the dangerous viruses that appear in China almost every year, the importance of this ratification should not be forgotten.

Currently, a coronavirus originating from bats and snakes is raging in China, which has killed more than 50 people and infected thousands. The first cases of infected individuals have also been recorded in Europe. Through the Agreement, BiH and China undertake to facilitate cooperation in the areas of administration, science and technology, and to exchange information on trade in animals and animal products.

The competent authorities for the implementation of the Agreement are the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations and the Veterinary Office of BiH, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China.