Košarac: Protect domestic production

(Patria) - Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH Staša Košarac received representatives of the Association of Agricultural Producers in BiH today in Sarajevo, with whom he discussed the protection of domestic production. 

The focus of today's meeting, which was also attended by representatives of the competent ministries from Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH, was the necessity of analyzing the justification for introducing protective measures for the import of fresh and chilled beef and pork into BiH. 

Representatives of the Association of Agricultural Producers in BiH emphasized that the coronavirus pandemic has led to a significant decrease in domestic consumption, which has further burdened domestic producers, slaughterhouses, and traders.  

Minister Košarac expressed his full commitment to protecting domestic production, while respecting international agreements to which BiH is a signatory. 

"It is necessary to continue supporting domestic capacities by using available foreign trade mechanisms within existing international agreements, as well as the policies of the competent entity ministries," Minister Košarac stated. 

He pointed out that domestic production should be supported with concrete measures, and that, in accordance with his competencies, he will send a letter to the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to BiH, in which he will request that the open quota for meat exports from BiH be increased from the current 3,000 tons by at least an additional 2,000 tons of meat. 

As one of the measures to protect domestic production, Minister Košarac also announced the continuation of negotiations for the export of domestic products to the EU market. 

"We will intensify this issue in discussions with representatives of the EU Delegation, after the process of responding to the questionnaire for meat exports to the EU market is completed in BiH," said Minister Košarac. 

At today's meeting, he announced that he will request increased control activities from the Veterinary Office of BiH regarding the import of fresh and chilled meat into BiH.