“Almost all Croatia’s agricultural products of animal origin fulfil EU food safety standards. As for previous enlargements, a transitional period until the end of 2015 has been agreed between the EU and Croatia by when the remaining limited number of establishments in Croatia need to fulfil EU standards, e.g. certain food producers, still need to fulfil certain structural conditions. As part of this transitional arrangement, the establishments in Croatia concerned cannot send their products to the rest of the EU. The products from these establishments can be placed on the Croatian market because the establishments fully ensure the food safety requirements. And these products can be exported to third countries, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, if the country of destination agrees.

“Such imports from Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina were taking place and allowed before the accession of Croatia to the EU based on a bilateral agreement of both countries. The agreement ceased to exist with the accession of Croatia to the EU.

“In accordance with the applicable law in Bosnia and Herzegovina it is open to the country’s authorities to check whether the establishments in Croatia fulfil at least standards equivalent to those of Bosnia and Herzegovina so as to allow for such imports to continue without any risk to food safety. Bosnia and Herzegovina should not request from Croatia higher standards than those applicable to its own consumers.

“On the other hand, all food products from Croatian establishments which are listed under the “Register of approved establishments dealing with food of animal origin” should continue at any rate to be exported to BiH.”

Note to Editors

1. For structural conditions, see: http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/establishments/establishments-transition-croatia_en.pdf
2. For the Register of approved establishments, see: http://www.veterinarstvo.hr/UserDocsImages/HranaZivPod/upisnik%20odobreni%20objekti/19-7-2013,%20WEB.LISTE.odobreni.svi.pdf