Fakić: Bosnian milk is high quality, there is no room for criticism from Serbia

Serbian media reported that milk exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina to the EU have been halted due to poor quality, while milk for the Serbian market, from which Serbia imports most of its milk, is fine, writes the BH News Agency Patria.

Adin Fakić, director of the Sarajevo dairy "Milkos", responded to these accusations, stating that there is no room for such criticism. Milkos is also one of the milk exporters to Serbia, as well as to other CEFTA countries.

- Their aflatoxin levels are ten times higher than in the EU, so regarding milk quality, they have no right to complain about Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has high-quality milk, and that is not in question. I don't know the reasons why Bosnia and Herzegovina is being singled out for this. Those who do not meet the quality prescribed by the Law on the Quality of Raw Milk are not in the milk collection system. That's how our dairy operates. That's how other dairies in the group operate as well - Fakić told NAP.

Fakić believes that this is damaging the reputation of Bosnian dairies.

- No one from neighboring countries has insight into the analyses of Bosnian milk; competent institutions do that. Perhaps there is an increased quantity of milk in Serbia, meaning surpluses, and they are trying to resolve it somehow. But that should be done differently, by favoring domestic milk, not in this manner.

He stated that as of January 1, 2015, a new regulation is in effect, and Bosnian milk meets the criteria in that context, both microbiologically and toxicologically.

- Out of the six disputed points that were problematic for obtaining an export license to the EU, four have been resolved, and two have not. One point is the most difficult and relates to legislation. Nowhere is milk quality mentioned - Fakić said.

He explained that foreigners want a single institution to control milk production, whereas in our country, three different institutions at three different levels (canton, FBiH, state) do it. He particularly emphasized the engagement of the former and current Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, Mirko Šarović, as well as the Veterinary Office, who have begun implementing EU legislation. The second point is the issue of certification, but it is purely technical and should not be complicated.

- Political will is needed to resolve this legislative issue.