The European Commission Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina regrets
the adoption by the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH of the Law on
protection of agricultural products, against the advice of BiH’s own
government leaders and the EU.

This is a violation of BiH’s obligations under the CEFTA Agreement,
and contradicts BiH’s commitments under the Stabilisation and
Association Agreement. Since the Stabilisation and Association Agreement
is the gateway to EU candidate status, this is a very serious matter.

But, as much as everything else, the Commission is concerned about
the impact on ordinary people.   This Law, if implemented, will raise
the cost of basic foodstuffs in the shops and hurt BiH citizens
directly, who are already suffering because of the economic crisis.

The EU urges BiH to consult with its neighbours and other CEFTA partners to avoid a harmful and unnecessary trade dispute.