Independent Bloc proposes: Emergency measures to save raspberry farming in BiH

The Independent Bloc presented at today's press conference held at the Party headquarters in Sarajevo the measures and activities it is undertaking and proposing to save raspberry farming in BiH.

Aware of the difficult position of raspberry producers, caused by the poor attitude and neglect of the competent institutions and ministries, representatives of the Independent Bloc have been insisting for years on a systemic solution to this important branch of agriculture, which has great potential and on which the incomes of many families in Bosnia and Herzegovina depend.

At least 30,000 people are directly engaged in raspberry production, and over 100,000 people live from this agricultural branch.

President of the Independent Bloc and member of the Parliament of BiH Senad Šepić says:

''For three years now, I have been working intensively to involve the state, the Council of Ministers and the governments in the systemic resolution of the raspberry growers' issue. I have submitted initiatives and solutions to the Parliament of BiH six times on this matter, but the current authorities are running away from this problem and do not want to solve it. And a solution is possible – a guaranteed purchase price and secure purchase of agricultural products. Without this, there is no development or survival of this branch.

On the other hand, this year, due to weather adversities, a large part of the raspberry crop has been destroyed, and municipalities, cities, cantons and entities must understand and support raspberry growers by changing the method of incentives, and instead of incentives per kilogram of raspberries, to do this per planted dunum of land. We call on all municipalities or cities, as well as cantons and entities, to ensure each level of 200 KM in incentives per dunum of planted raspberries.

This way, with a joint tripartite approach, we would provide each agricultural raspberry producer with 600 KM this year and thus help save and ensure the further survival of raspberry farming in BiH.

The first to do this and support farmers in this way was the Mayor of Zenica, Fuad Kasumović. Following this example, other mayors and municipal heads should support their farmers and jointly seek support from higher levels of government – cantons and the Federation of BiH.''

Dženana Hodžić, a member of the Presidency of the Independent Bloc, believes that this very promising branch of agriculture, which employs a large number of people in our country, must be sustained.

''Its extinction would be a major blow to our economy and would force even more of our people to emigrate and leave the country. The Independent Bloc therefore demands that the state establish a systemic framework, and that cities, cantons and entities keep raspberry farming alive through incentives, and declare agricultural natural disasters, where this is present and obvious, in accordance with their competencies. It is especially important now, due to the current weather disasters that have struck our country, to react urgently and change the incentive system based on the principle of planted areas,'' stated Dr. Dženana Hodžić, a member of the Presidency of the Independent Bloc.