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Stabilisation and Association process (SAp) and respect of standards to export into the EU. Doretta Ghinzelli European Commission Directorate General Agriculture and Rural Development Berlin, 5 May 2006. Contents. The Stabilisation and Association process (SAp)
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Stabilisation and Association process (SAp) and respect of standards to export into the EU Doretta Ghinzelli European Commission Directorate General Agriculture and Rural Development Berlin, 5 May 2006
Contents • The Stabilisation and Association process (SAp) • Respect of standards to export into the EU • Areas where donors may invest • Some conclusions
SAA: state of play SAA in force in: • The former Yugoslav Rep. of Macedonia • Croatia SAA concluded: • Albania Negotiations under way: • Serbia and Montenegro • Bosnia Herzegovina
SAp and SAAOpportunities and Challenges • Preparation for EU-membership. • Close relationship with the EU • Financial support • Approximation to the Community acquis • Improve customs management and procedures • last but not least: political dialogue and cooperation
SAp and SAAOpportunities and challenges • The trade liberalisation -privileged access to the EU market: trade provisions are in general asymmetrically in favour of the countries • EU has granted unlimited duty free access to the market of the enlarged Union for virtually all products (exceptions: bovine meat. Baby-beef, wine and recently sugar are subject to tariff quotas)
Respect of standards to export into the EU Products exported have to fulfil: • Phitosanitary and veterinary standards • Marketing standards
The European Food Law Different import requirements: • Food of animal origin • Food of non-animal origin • Food containing both, processed ingredients of animal origin and of plant origin
Marketing standardsfruits and vegetables • Imports into the EU of fresh fruit and vegetables are checked for compliance with EU marketing standards • If the EU Member State authorities find the goods in conformity, they can enter the EU • Informing the operators is important even regardless of what is going on with the authorities
Some areas where donors may invest • Training for veterinary and inspectors with emphasis on the horizontal issues of the food law • Laboratories • Information/seminars for operators (growers, traders, interested groups) • Promoting the development of local consumer movements
Conclusions – message for the Western Balkans • Exploit the existing possibilities to export more into the EU • Exploit the great potential to trade more in the region (intra-regional free trade agreements) • This is also, in general, a good preparation for a future accession