The current situation in the Forest and Fisheries sector in BiH was presented in Teslic on January 22 at the Final Conference of the EU funded project “Preparation of IPARD Forest and Fisheries Sector Reviews in Bosnia and Herzegovina”.

The project has produced independent and professional studies for forestry and fishery in BiH, which provided detailed analysis of these sectors, including their organisation, potential for further growth and increased competitiveness.

The sectoral studies also provide findings and recommendations for the competent institutions in BiH for further improvement of their policies in these areas, development and modernisation of these sectors in accordance with the EU standards and requirements.

The European Union financed the project through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA 2009) to the tune of 235,000 EUR which was implemented by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Mariangela Fittipaldi, Programme Manager, Operations Section for Economic Development Natural Resources and Infrastructure in the EU Delegation to BiH said in her welcoming remarks: „We invested 750 000 EUR in these and other studies. Five studies were conducted in 2012 on meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables, wine and diversification, and finally these two – on fishery and forestry. Studies should help the country to better shape their policies and better manage their vast potential and resources in these sectors. This will lead to better legal regulation and protection of the sectors, and increased growth and export revenues.”

The FAO technical assistance in Bosnia and Herzegovina is focused on policy advice, capacity building and support for the inclusion of family farms in short, high-quality food value chains. In close cooperation with the European Commission, the FAO is contributing to the preparation of forest and fisheries sector reviews under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance in Rural Development (IPARD), with a special focus on harmonization with EU legislation.

Norbert Winkler, Forestry Officer in the FAO stated: “The analyses address the weaker links in the production and supply chains. They provide an overview of the current situation in rural areas based on in–depth research on the sectors. These analyses will contribute to programmes of the BiH governments and are also a precondition for formulating IPARD programmes.”

The conference was attended by the representatives of relevant institutions at all levels, faculties and research institutions, producers and processing companies, NGOs and other stakeholders.