FVO inspectors visit dairies: Milkos to start exporting to the European Union in early April

An inspection team from the European Commission's Directorate for Health and Food, Audits and Analysis (FVO) has been in BiH since March 14 to check the implementation of the Action Plan for addressing recommendations received after the audit conducted in January 2014. This concerns six control points that the FVO previously required from BiH in meeting the conditions for exporting milk and dairy products to the EU.

Two inspectors have already visited the Sarajevo dairy Milkos and the Spreča Farm, and in their concluding remarks gave the highest ratings, said Milkos director Adin Fakić in an interview with the Patria agency.

- We also succeeded during their first visit and obtained exporter status, and after the FVO's visit to BiH concludes on March 25, we will receive their report and recommendations – said Fakić, who is confident that this dairy will retain its exporter status.

Incidentally, the inspection control mostly concerns inspection and competent bodies responsible for controlling goods of animal origin. In that regard, as Fakić stated, the FVO inspectors are satisfied with that part of the chain as well.

The Milkos dairy is preparing for its first export to the European Union, specifically Croatia, with several of its products in early April, and according to Fakić, these are entirely new products for this market.

- These are Greek-style yogurt – Cremos, Ayran, cream sour cream and cheese. All procedures have been complied with, including declarations, and we are ready for export – said Fakić.

Although he did not want to reveal details, he said that they will soon have a visit from a company that is a representative for the markets of the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Germany, and they will try some of the products that could soon appear on the shelves of these European countries.