EU TWINNING PROJECT

DEVELOPING organic PRODUCTION AND FOOD QUALITY POLICY IN SERBIA

Project implemented byItalian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies (Mipaaf), Regione Emilia-Romagna,

IZSUM (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche), French Ministry of Agriculture Agrifood, and Forestry, ADECIA (Agency for the development of international cooperation in the areas of agriculture, food and rural space), INAO (National Institute of

origin and quality), AGES (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety)

The Twinning programme is one of the principal tools of Institution Building accession assistance. Twinning aims to help beneficiary countries

in the development of modern and efficient administrations, with the structures, human resources and management skills needed to implement

the acquis communautaire to the same standards as Member States. Twinning provides the framework for administrations and semi-public

organisations in the beneficiary countries to work with their counterparts in Member States. Together they develop and implement a project that targets the transposition, implementation and enforcement of a specific

part of the acquis communautaire. Since 1998, beneficiary countries have benefited from over 1,300 twinning projects.

“The European Union is made up of 28 Member States who have decided to gradually link together their know-how, resources and destinies.

Together, during a period of enlargement of 50 years, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms.

The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and people beyond its borders.”

The European Commission is the European Union’s executive body.

Overall Objective:

The overall objective of this project is to support the Serbian administration to effectively conduct accession negotiations and to manage successfully overall EU integration and pre-accession assistance geared towards EU membership.

The global objectives of the project:

The project purpose is to improve capacity of the staff of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management (MAFWM) and related institutions entrusted with the task of Organic Production and Food Quality Policy, to apply best practices in this area improving the capacity of registration and control system for organic farming

products and food quality products, such as PDO (Protected Denomination of Origin), PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), TSG (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed) MP

(Mountain Product), according to EU regulations governing this area.

The specific objectives of the project are:

Strengthening the administrative capacities of Serbian institutions involved in the field of Organic Production and Food Quality Schemes; improvement of the skills of involved staff due to the experience and practical knowledge gained during this Twinning project; alignment of Organic Production and Food Quality Products registration, denomination and controls procedures with EU and international standards, requirements and agreements.

This project consists of 2 basic components divided in activities:

• Component 1. ORGANIC PRODUCTION • Activity 1.1 Alignment of national legislation and implementing procedures with related EU requirements in the area of organic production;

• Activity 1.2 Setting up an effective control system for organic production;• Activity 1.3 Improvement of BC staff’s skills in the field of promotion of organic production and awareness campaign;• Component 2. FOOD QUALITY POLICY• Activity 2.1 Alignment of national legislation with related EU requirements for GI (quality schemes) in the area of agricultural and food products; • Activity 2.2 Improving skills of capacities of the Registration system for GI food products (PDO, PGI, TSG and mountain products) in line with the EU acquis;• Activity 2.3 Setting up of an effective control system for GI food products (PDO, PGI, TSG and mountain products);• Activity 2.4 Strengthen capacities, enhance knowledge and increase awareness of public officers, and relevant stakeholders in the field of GIs.

Expected results

The expected mandatory results of the project are:

• Current legal and institutional framework assessed and harmonized with European Union relevant rules and procedures; • Professional skills of staff from institutions involved in Organic Production and Food Quality Policy, including registration of GI products improved through trainings;• Staff from Sector for Agricultural Policy, Group for Food Quality and Labelling trained to be able to register PDO, PGI and TSG products at EU level;• National Register for organic farming producers and GIs producers developed in Serbia at ministry level;• Manual of procedures developed for authorization and recognition of private certification body.

Activities and working methodology

The activities will be performed through MS experts’ missions to the Beneficiary Country and by training, drafting of technical documents and study visits to Member States for BC selected staff.

The planned activities, contained in two components and seven activities will be carried out using a peer to peer approach. The current legal situation and procedures which are currently implemented will be assessed. Identified priorities for action and recommendations for improvements will be reported in a gap analysis report. The national legislations, on both sectors, will be aligned with the related EU requirements. The Member State best practices and experiences will be transferred to Beneficiary institutions with scope to update the national legislation and procedures for controls and certification for organic production and food quality scheme according to the EU and international standards and agreement. Theoretical and practical trainings, included in a well-defined training program, will be carried out with the aim to improve the Beneficiary Country professional skills. Study visits in Member States will be conducted to share first-hand experience. At least three product specifications for Serbian GIs food products will be prepared for registration at EU level. Developing organic production and food quality products in Serbia, farmers can sell national products in EU or world market getting premium price value on their products. The Register of Organic producers and GIs food producers will be established at national level and in electronic version. All citizens will be able to public information on Serbian primary production under organic farming scheme and food quality scheme. Communication and awareness raising activities of both sectors for farmers, civil society and stakeholders through a combination of the workshops, conferences and information-sharing platform.

Member State Project partner

The Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies of the Republic of Italy (Mipaaf) and their controlled public and semi-public institutions are responsible for elaboration and coordination of agricultural, forestry and agro-food rural development policies in Italy. Mipaaf is actively involved in the implementation of Organic Farming rules at national level. Mipaaf is also a competent authority for registration of GIs food products at national level.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Agrifood and Forestry of the Republic of France (MAA) and their controlled public and semi-public institutions are responsible for elaboration and coordination of agricultural, forestry and agro-food rural development policies in France. MAA of the Republic of France is also involved through INAO in registration of GIs food products at national level.

The AGES is the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety leading expert organisation for minimising healthcare, food safety, food security and consumer protection risks.

Beneficiary institutions in Serbia

The main beneficiary of the Project will be the Sector for Agricultural Policy “Group for Food Quality and Labelling” together with the Directorate for National Reference Laboratories, “Group for Organic Production” within MAFWM.

Key positions in the Project

• Mr. Nenad Katanić, Beneficiary Country Project Leader Acting Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management;• Mr Riccardo Rossi Paccani, Member State Project Leader Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies• Mr. Davide Liberati, , Resident Twinning Advisor (RTA) Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies• Mr. Branislav Raketić, RTA Counterpart Head of Group for Food Quality and Labelling within the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management• Ms. Snežana Kumbarić, Senior Advisor within Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management• Ms. Marina Vujović, head of unit for Organic Production within Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management• Ms. Jelena Milić, Senior Advisor within Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management• Ms. Nataša Čelik, RTA Assistant• Ms. Dragana Radovanović RTA Language Assistant

Project funds and duration

The project budget is EUR 1.139.971,00 and 100% is financed by IPA II. The execution period of the project will be 24 months.

THIS PROJECT IS FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION

PROJECT FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION

CONTACT INFORMATIONTwinning Project team:Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water ManagementNemanjina 22-26 - 8th Floor – Office n. 4 11000 Belgrade -Serbia Phone: +381 11 3033120

Main Beneficiary: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Sector for Agricultural Policy Nemanjina 22-26, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Phone: +381 11 3622-312 E-mail: b.raketic@minpolj.gov.rs Mandated Body:IZSUM - Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati”Via G. Salvemini n. 1 06126 Perugia (PG) - Italy Phone: +39 0721 786012 E-mail: URP@izsum.it

Contracting Authority:Department for Contracting and Financing of EU funded programmes (CFCU), Ministry of Finance, Government of Republic of Serbia, Sremska ulica 3-5, 11 000 Belgrade, Serbia Phone: +381 11 2021 115

Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of SerbiaAvenija 19a, Vladimira Popovića 40/V,11070 New Belgrade, SerbiaTel: +381 11 308 32 00E-mail: delegation-serbia@eeas.europa.eu

This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the MIPAAF and MAFWM and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the views of the European Union.

Overall Objective:

The overall objective of this project is to support the Serbian administration to effectively conduct accession negotiations and to manage successfully overall EU integration and pre-accession assistance geared towards EU membership.

The global objectives of the project:

The project purpose is to improve capacity of the staff of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management (MAFWM) and related institutions entrusted with the task of Organic Production and Food Quality Policy, to apply best practices in this area improving the capacity of registration and control system for organic farming

products and food quality products, such as PDO (Protected Denomination of Origin), PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), TSG (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed) MP

(Mountain Product), according to EU regulations governing this area.

The specific objectives of the project are:

Strengthening the administrative capacities of Serbian institutions involved in the field of Organic Production and Food Quality Schemes; improvement of the skills of involved staff due to the experience and practical knowledge gained during this Twinning project; alignment of Organic Production and Food Quality Products registration, denomination and controls procedures with EU and international standards, requirements and agreements.

This project consists of 2 basic components divided in activities:

• Component 1. ORGANIC PRODUCTION • Activity 1.1 Alignment of national legislation and implementing procedures with related EU requirements in the area of organic production;

• Activity 1.2 Setting up an effective control system for organic production;• Activity 1.3 Improvement of BC staff’s skills in the field of promotion of organic production and awareness campaign;• Component 2. FOOD QUALITY POLICY• Activity 2.1 Alignment of national legislation with related EU requirements for GI (quality schemes) in the area of agricultural and food products; • Activity 2.2 Improving skills of capacities of the Registration system for GI food products (PDO, PGI, TSG and mountain products) in line with the EU acquis;• Activity 2.3 Setting up of an effective control system for GI food products (PDO, PGI, TSG and mountain products);• Activity 2.4 Strengthen capacities, enhance knowledge and increase awareness of public officers, and relevant stakeholders in the field of GIs.

Expected results

The expected mandatory results of the project are:

• Current legal and institutional framework assessed and harmonized with European Union relevant rules and procedures; • Professional skills of staff from institutions involved in Organic Production and Food Quality Policy, including registration of GI products improved through trainings;• Staff from Sector for Agricultural Policy, Group for Food Quality and Labelling trained to be able to register PDO, PGI and TSG products at EU level;• National Register for organic farming producers and GIs producers developed in Serbia at ministry level;• Manual of procedures developed for authorization and recognition of private certification body.

Activities and working methodology

The activities will be performed through MS experts’ missions to the Beneficiary Country and by training, drafting of technical documents and study visits to Member States for BC selected staff.

The planned activities, contained in two components and seven activities will be carried out using a peer to peer approach. The current legal situation and procedures which are currently implemented will be assessed. Identified priorities for action and recommendations for improvements will be reported in a gap analysis report. The national legislations, on both sectors, will be aligned with the related EU requirements. The Member State best practices and experiences will be transferred to Beneficiary institutions with scope to update the national legislation and procedures for controls and certification for organic production and food quality scheme according to the EU and international standards and agreement. Theoretical and practical trainings, included in a well-defined training program, will be carried out with the aim to improve the Beneficiary Country professional skills. Study visits in Member States will be conducted to share first-hand experience. At least three product specifications for Serbian GIs food products will be prepared for registration at EU level. Developing organic production and food quality products in Serbia, farmers can sell national products in EU or world market getting premium price value on their products. The Register of Organic producers and GIs food producers will be established at national level and in electronic version. All citizens will be able to public information on Serbian primary production under organic farming scheme and food quality scheme. Communication and awareness raising activities of both sectors for farmers, civil society and stakeholders through a combination of the workshops, conferences and information-sharing platform.

Member State Project partner

The Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies of the Republic of Italy (Mipaaf) and their controlled public and semi-public institutions are responsible for elaboration and coordination of agricultural, forestry and agro-food rural development policies in Italy. Mipaaf is actively involved in the implementation of Organic Farming rules at national level. Mipaaf is also a competent authority for registration of GIs food products at national level.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Agrifood and Forestry of the Republic of France (MAA) and their controlled public and semi-public institutions are responsible for elaboration and coordination of agricultural, forestry and agro-food rural development policies in France. MAA of the Republic of France is also involved through INAO in registration of GIs food products at national level.

The AGES is the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety leading expert organisation for minimising healthcare, food safety, food security and consumer protection risks.

Beneficiary institutions in Serbia

The main beneficiary of the Project will be the Sector for Agricultural Policy “Group for Food Quality and Labelling” together with the Directorate for National Reference Laboratories, “Group for Organic Production” within MAFWM.

Key positions in the Project

• Mr. Nenad Katanić, Beneficiary Country Project Leader Acting Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management;• Mr Riccardo Rossi Paccani, Member State Project Leader Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies• Mr. Davide Liberati, , Resident Twinning Advisor (RTA) Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies• Mr. Branislav Raketić, RTA Counterpart Head of Group for Food Quality and Labelling within the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management• Ms. Snežana Kumbarić, Senior Advisor within Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management• Ms. Marina Vujović, head of unit for Organic Production within Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management• Ms. Jelena Milić, Senior Advisor within Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management• Ms. Nataša Čelik, RTA Assistant• Ms. Dragana Radovanović RTA Language Assistant

Project funds and duration

The project budget is EUR 1.139.971,00 and 100% is financed by IPA II. The execution period of the project will be 24 months.