The EU-funded project “Technical Assistance Coordination of Animal Disease Control and Eradication Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Phase III“, in cooperation with the Veterinary Office of BiH as the lead project beneficiary institution, held a series of trainings for farmers and milk producers in the period of 8 to 16 November 2016 in order to provide support to farmers and dairy producers in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Over 200 participants of the trainings held in Bihać, Tomislavgrad, Kalinovik, Brčko and Travnik had the opportunity to get information about the implementation of programmes for prevention and control of brucellosis, and on issues related to the safety of dairy products which they produced for their own consumption and for the local market. The large turnout of producers in all locations testifies the need for continued follow up on the current situation in the field of animal health and achieving a high level of security in the traditional cheese production in BiH.

A guest lecturer, Prof. Samir Kalit, PhD from the Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb lectured about the basics of production of cheese with a maturation period longer than 60 days. Professor Kalit also presented a manual “Production of Sheep and Goat Cheeses from Raw Milk with Prolonged Ripening (60 days) – Theory and Practice” published by the project and intended for producers – participants of this training.

This project is funded by the EU through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA 2012) in the amount of 593,530.00 Euros. The project aims to support the veterinary sector in BiH as well as to achieve a high level of protection of human and animal health in BiH, based on European standards.