All media representatives are cordially invited to attend the Kick-off conference of the European Union project “Support to Implementation and Enforcement of BiH Food Legislation” which will take place at the Radon Hotel in Sarajevo on 29th October 2009, from 09:30 until 12:30.

The overall objective of the project is to assist the BiH institutions and food producers to guarantee the safety of food and feed to both BiH and EU consumers by implementing the EU principles on food safety. The European Union provided 985,292 € for this project, out of IPA 2007 Transition Assistance and Institution building component. The project implementation started on 14 September 2009 and will last for two years.

The aim of the project is to secure the implementation of the BiH food safety legislation through the strengthening of human resources, in order to provide a high level of food safety and increased competitiveness of the BIH agricultural products on the domestic and international markets.

The most important goals to be achieved by the project are:

– to demonstrate the capacity of the Food Safety Agency (FSA) to perform its basic tasks resulting from the food legislation, in particular, related to risk assessment, coordination of risk management, and communication with all stakeholders involved in the food safety chain,

– to improve the existing food safety, hygiene and quality control through enhanced capacities of the competent inspection bodies,

– to improve the system of laboratories, in order for the newly authorized laboratories to perform more specific analysis based on internationally recognized methods and procedures,

– to establish the BIH register of food business operators, and

– to enhance the trading position of food producers and the food industry through the application of food safety programs and standards for self-control.

Media representatives are invited to attend a press briefing at 12:30 where the main speakers at the conference will be available for interviews. The agenda for the event is attached.

AGENDA