Košarac: Ensure conditions for unimpeded transport of agricultural products for the upcoming sowing season

(Patria) - Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH Staša Košarac requested that the Plant Protection Directorate of BiH, as an administrative organization of the relevant Ministry, in coordination with the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH, enable unimpeded transport of goods for which a 'D' permit is required through border crossings, which have been designated by the Council of Ministers of BiH for the transport of goods in road traffic in transit through BiH.

Minister Košarac sent the aforementioned initiative taking into account the recommendations and measures of the entity governments and ministries responsible for agriculture, concerning the transport of goods in the new circumstances due to the coronavirus epidemic.

"In coordination with the governments of Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH, we have assessed that it is necessary to define border crossings for the transport of goods for which a D permit is required. This concerns planting material, fertilizers, and other raw materials needed for the upcoming spring sowing. We must speed up procedures for the transport of these goods in order to provide domestic farmers with timely conditions to sow record areas, as the market supply of food products must not be jeopardized," stated Minister Košarac.

He noted that fertilizers, seeds, and planting material are among the list of vital products that will have facilitated movement between CEFTA countries.

"In coordination with the competent institutions at all levels of government, we have proposed a list of vital products to the CEFTA Secretariat, which includes basic foodstuffs, medicines and medical supplies, as well as veterinary medicines and preparations, fertilizers, seeds and planting material, and animal feed," added Minister Košarac.

Minister Košarac previously requested the Veterinary Office of BiH to implement 24-hour working hours for inspectors at designated border crossings, in order to enable unimpeded transport of goods.

"Our task is to continuously take measures that will mitigate the negative effects of the coronavirus epidemic on the domestic economy," emphasized Minister Košarac.

We remind you that the Council of Ministers of BiH, at its sixth extraordinary session on March 24, 2020, adopted a decision designating border crossings between BiH and Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro for the transport of goods in road traffic in transit through Bosnia and Herzegovina. In accordance with the aforementioned decision, the border crossings of Bijača, Gradiška, Šamac, Neum 1, and Neum 2 have been designated for the transport of goods between BiH and Croatia, while the border crossings of Rača and Klobuk have been designated for the transport of goods between BiH and Serbia, and BiH and Montenegro, respectively.