Doretta GhinzelliEuropean CommissionDirectorate General Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentBerlin, 5 May 2006

Stabilisation and Association process (SAp) and respect of standards to export into the EU

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Contents

The Stabilisation and Association process (SAp)

Respect of standards to export into the EU

Areas where donors may invest

Some conclusions

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SAA: state of play

SAA in force in: The former Yugoslav Rep. of Macedonia Croatia

SAA concluded: Albania

Negotiations under way: Serbia and Montenegro Bosnia Herzegovina

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SAp and SAAOpportunities and Challenges Preparation for EU-membership.

- Close relationship with the EU- Financial support- Approximation to the Community acquis- Improve customs management and procedures- last but not least: political dialogue and cooperation

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SAp and SAAOpportunities and challenges The trade liberalisation

- privileged access to the EU market: trade provisions are in general asymmetrically in favour of the countries

- EU has granted unlimited duty free access to the market of the enlarged Union for virtually all products (exceptions: bovine meat. Baby-beef, wine and recently sugar are subject to tariff quotas)

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Chapters agriculture products

EU 25 Imports from West Balkans * (in Mio. €)

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

17 Sugar 47,6 173,5 193,0 165,0 264,8

08 Fruits and nuts 110,6 142,4 147,9 123,9 121,9

41 Raw hides and skins 65,8 63,8 51,4 54,1 56,4

07 Vegetables 65,7 63,6 44,7 55,5 58,0

10 Cereals 3,0 76,4 42,0 7,3 73,9

22 Wines and vinegar 30,0 30,7 26,0 26,7 22,0

Others 118,4 141,4 156,5 157,6 200,1

Total Agric. Products 441,0 691,7 661,3 590,0 797,2 West Balkans * = Albania, B&H, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Rep. of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia

Source : EUROSTAT - Comext - DG AGRI

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Chapters Agriculture

products

EU 25 Exports to West Balkans * (in Mio. €)

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

02 Meat and edible meat 174,5 183,3 134,8 154,8 187,1

04 Dairy; eggs; honey 133,4 141,0 131,8 134,2 114,2

08 Fruits and nuts 116,5 117,1 112,6 108,3 117,0

17 Sugar 125,4 128,4 108,8 68,8 138,0

10 Cereals 125,4 66,9 94,7 90,7 57,9

23 Residues food industries 65,4 78,3 81,7 93,7 78,9

01 Live animals 55,4 104,1 75,4 69,6 93,4

19-21 Prepar. Veget.fruits, 59,7 68,9 75,6 77,8 80,0

07 Vegetables 66,8 62,9 74,3 72,9 47,4

Others 340,9 325,0 344,3 343,8 358,8

Total Agric. Products 1.263,3 1.275,9 1.234,1 1.214,6 1.272,7 West Balkans * = Albania, B&H, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Rep. of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia

Source : EUROSTAT - Comext - DG AGRI

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EU 25 Trade with West Balkans (Mio. €)

Total

Agric. products

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

EU 25 IMPORTS

from WB

441 692 661 590 797

EU 25 EXPORT to WB

1.263 1.276 1.234 1.215 1.273

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Respect of standards to export into the EUProducts exported have to fulfil:

1. Phitosanitary and veterinary standards

2. Marketing standards

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The New European Food Lawoperational from 1 January 2006

Main regulations EU Official Journal

(R.178/2002 EU food law) L 31 1/2/02

R. 852/2004 hygiene of foodstuffs

L226 25/6/04

R. 853/2004 hygiene rules food animal origin

L226 25/6/04

R. 854/2004 official controls products of animal origin

L226 25/6/04

R. 882/2004 on official controls L191 28/5/04

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The European Food Law

Different import requirements:

Food of animal origin

Food of non-animal origin

Food containing both, processed ingredients of animal origin and of plant origin

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Marketing standardsfruits and vegetables Imports into the EU of fresh fruit and vegetables are

checked for compliance with EU marketing standards

If the EU Member State authorities find the goods in conformity, they can enter the EU

Informing the operators is important even regardless of what is going on with the authorities

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Some areas where donors may invest

Training for veterinary and inspectors with emphasis on the horizontal issues of the food law

Laboratories Information/seminars for operators (growers,

traders, interested groups) Promoting the development of local

consumer movements

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Conclusions – message for the Western Balkans Exploit the existing possibilities to export more

into the EU

Exploit the great potential to trade more in the region(intra-regional free trade agreements)

This is also, in general, a good preparation for a future accession