Minister Košarac in Ambassador Sattler about the export of red meat to the EU

(Patria) - Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH Staša Košarac spoke today in Sarajevo with the Head of the EU Delegation to BiH and the EU Special Representative to BiH Johann Sattler about the possibility of exporting red meat from BiH to the EU. The meeting was also attended by the Director of the Veterinary Office of BiH, Ljubomir Kalaba. 

Today's meeting in the building of the EU Delegation to BiH followed the submission by the Veterinary Office of BiH, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, of the response to the questionnaire on the export of red meat from BiH to the EU to the European Commission on September 7, 2020. 

Ambassador Sattler welcomed the completion of the questionnaire for the export of red meat to the EU, which the European Commission had submitted to BiH two years ago, and emphasized that it is a good start for further activities. He informed Minister Košarac that the European Commission had submitted 14 additional questions regarding the export of red meat, and expressed his expectation that the competent institutions in BiH would provide adequate answers as soon as possible. Minister Košarac expressed hope that the EU institutions will also be agile after BiH responds to the additional questions from the questionnaire for the export of red meat. 

Minister Košarac and Ambassador Sattler also exchanged views on the possibility of exporting table eggs from BiH to the EU member states' market. It was emphasized that the implementation of the salmonella control plan for BiH needs to be improved, and Minister Košarac announced that he will hold a meeting with the competent institutions from Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH in the coming period to discuss official controls in order to effectively resolve this issue. 

Ambassador Sattler also emphasized the importance of the soon adoption of a strategic framework for tourism, one of the sectors most affected by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.