BiH agriculture held back by weak institutions and controls
The Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays, this morning visited the successful meat Production Company, MIS Stanic, in Kresevo.
This company was one of 16 certified by Croatian Veterinary Office to export its products to Croatia [by whom?] but the recent outbreaks of Q-fever and Brucellosis has dashed their hopes of breaking into foreign markets.
This kind of export is absolutely crucial in the present effort to create jobs in Bosnia and Herzegovina and sustain economic development based on promoting exports and one of BiH’s potentially strongest economic sectors, its agriculture.
“This company is now looking to BiH’s responsible institutions; the veterinary services, and the ministries of agriculture, to protect its interests. They must ensure that these diseases are brought under control, that an effective clean-up operation is undertaken and that confidence in BiH products, is returned “, said Ambassador Hays today in Kresevo.
BiH’s current capacity to control animal health in the country is half a century out of date: it is comparable to that in Europe after WWII. It is up to the responsible institutions in BiH to update the systems that protect the health of humans and livestock up to European standards. It is clear that it is these, BiH, institutions that have to come up with a proactive strategy, which will lead the country out of this crisis.
Second Anniversary of Paddy Ashdown as High Representative
Some of you may already be aware that tomorrow is two years since Paddy Ashdown took on the mandate of the High Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The High Representative is not currently in BiH but we are working on getting something from the High Representative to you all later today. More details available from the OHR Press Office after 2pm.