Lithuanian Perspectives on Veterinary Legislation

1. Lithuania’s perspectives and experience (positive and negative) in the development and implementation of veterinary legislation Prof. Dr. Kazimieras Lukauskas Vice-President of the OIE Regional Commission for Europe Djerba, Tunisia 7-9 December 2010

2. Push factors to new reforms in Lithuania after declaration of independence • Based on 5 essential supports: • The EU initiative for new food safety strategy in EU • New demands of society, consumer rights protection in food area • The OIE policy and the Standards of OIE Codes and Manuals • Future visions of the EU towards veterinary legislation • Lithuania’s great wish to be in the EU family by transposing all requested EU Acquis into the national law

3. Some background features • Lithuania was made full member of the OIE in 1932 • After the WW II the membership to the OIE was suspended • In 1992 Lithuania re-established the membership to the OIE

4. Towards the State Veterinary Service (SVS) in 1991-2000 • After re-establishment of independence, liquidation of big state agricultural farms, kolkhozs, started. • The number of farm animals and poultry decreased substantially and the market for animal products and animals shrank due to severed relations with the large former Soviet Union market. • Situation changed when veterinary services were provided to new actors of agricultural sector (large industrial farms and big herds replaced by small family-farms). • Big demand emerged for private vets, especially in towns (small animals).

5. Towards the State Veterinary Service (SVS) in 1991-2000 • 5. A need for legal regulation of private veterinary practices and of veterinary pharmacy activities. • 6. A new field in veterinary sector i.e. border veterinary control, had to be regulated immediately, (hence a new authority - Border Veterinary Control institution was created in 1991). • 7.A new system for registration and identification of farm animals had to be set up. • 8.Because of lack of appropriate animal welfare surveillance system a new one had to be introduced across the country. • 9.The bulk of of veterinary legislation was inherited from the former Soviet legislation thus had to be modified accordingly.

6. Towards the State Veterinary Service (SVS)in 1991-2000 • The Codes and Manuals of the OIE, specifically the fundamental principles of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code on “official veterinary services”, its role and structure became the cornerstone inthe preparation of the new Law on Veterinary Activities and in reorganisation of the whole existing national veterinary legislation. • - For the above reorganisation OIE standards and recommendations were of crucial importance, both politically and from the professional point of view

7. State Veterinary Service (SVS) in 1991-2000 • Such a structure was fully in line with the fundamental principles of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code (Chapter 3.1). • 2. SVS comprised veterinarians, other professionals and para-professionals with the responsibility and competence for ensuring and supervising the animal health, animal welfare, animal origin food/feed requirements,who also carried out veterinary certification across Lithuania. • 3. Activities of SVS comprisedall partners, farmers, veterinary practitioners, laboratories, official veterinarians, competent authorities related to the veterinary field.

8. Law on Veterinary Activities – legal basis for creation of the new Veterinary Services and later reforms • In 1992 the State Veterinary Service under the Government of Republic of Lithuania was established. A new Authority included subordinate regional and local veterinary services, veterinary labs and diagnostic units, the body responsible for controls of veterinary pharmaceuticals , the Consulting Centre for vets, the Border Veterinary Control institution. • In early1994 the Government of Lithuania raised a clear goal – for Lithuania to become an EU Member with national legislation harmonised with EU Acquis, including veterinary legislation.

9. Enlargement of the EU 1973: Denmark, Ireland and the UK 1981: Greece 1986: Spain and Portugal 1990: Re-unification of Germany (the territory of the former German Democratic Republic was incorporated into the Federal Republic of Germany) 1995: Austria, Finland and Sweden (Norway decided again not to join the EU but to remain a member of EFTA) 2004: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia 2007: Bulgaria and Romania ? Future enlargement – Candidate and Associated countries

10. Lithuania’s way to the EU (Pre-accession) Following approval of negotiation chapters transitional periods were discussed on some provisions of EU Acquis on which LT will negotiate with COMM The position was adopted to start negotiations with “light chapters” (e.g. education, enterprise law, etc.) and gradually to go over to “heavy” negotiation chapters. Besides the Government adopted the plan for the harmonisation of acquis - the so-called “Timetable for transposition of acquis” and set up a working group for each negotiation chapter

11. Lithuania’s way to the EU (Pre-accession) • 2001- Government adopted negotiation chapter- “Agriculture”, (7th chapter) • 30-03-2001- “Consumers and Health” acquis chapter approximated and closed, 11-06-2002– “Agriculture” negotiation chapter incl. Veterinary and Phytosanitary legislation completed • December 2002- negotiations on accession to the EU with the candidate countries including Lithuania were officially concluded

12. Preparation of Lithuania for EU accession in veterinary and food control field Establishment of the legal system and harmonisation of the national legislation with the EU acquis Development of the sector of animal product handling establishments Reorganization of official food control sector

13. Transposition of legislation 1. the scope of the work must be evaluated and also the strategy for that work foreseen Transposing EU legal acts into the national system 2. the hierarchy of the legal acts must be clearly defined 3. tables of correspondence have been introduced. Adoption of each national legal act should follow through the use of the table of correspondence for better understanding by farmers, manufacturers, consumers, other public administrations inside and outside

14. LITHUANIAN FOOD /VETERINARY LEGISLATION • Primary Legislation - Law on Veterinary Activities and Law on Food – framework acts regulating all veterinary and food operators’ activities in accordance with international requirements and EU legislation • Secondary legislation - Government Resolutions and Orders of Director of SFVS

15. LITHUANIAN VETERINARYLEGISLATION • Transposition of EU acquiscommunautaire completed by 1 January 2004 by Orders of Director of SFVS on: • Animal health protection & disease control • Veterinary public health • Animal welfare • Veterinary checks of imports from third countries • Veterinary checks in intra-Community trade • Animal identification & registration, veterinary certification, fees for veterinary inspection, veterinary funding SFVS WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TRANSPOSITION OF: trade directives • health protection and disease control legislation • animal welfare legislation

16. Transitional periods granted Until31-12-2006 on reconstruction (construction) of meat, milk, fish processing plants in accordance with the EU veterinary requirements (Council Directives 64/433/EEC, 71/118/EEC, 77/99/EEC, 91/493/EEC, 92/46/EEC but the transition period agreed was only accessible for the establishments appearing on a special list which had to adopt the EU requirements gradually The products of the establishments was marked by special stamp and supplied to the local market only (placing on the EC market strictly forbidden) Establishing of working groups upon sectors Establishing of working groups upon sectors

17. The advantages of reorganization Better coordination of work Enhanced efficiency of work More trust from the public and stakeholders Separation of legislative and executive powers Independence of SFVS, the institution executing control on the safety of food High quality of functions performed Transparency and efficiency of operation

18. Central elements of food safety and veterinary policy • Chain approach from “farm to fork” • Clear division of responsibilities • More transparency • Measures based on scientific result (risk-analysis) • Consumer orientation

19. PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA Ministry of Economy State Food and Veterinary Service Ministry of Health Ministry of Agriculture Establishes requirements for the assessment of quality and composition of food, raw materials, growing of plants for human consumption, organic food Adopts veterinary (animal health, welfare, animal products, feed, vet. medicine) legislation Single institution for food control (raw materials, animal and non animal foodstuffs, feed, monitoring, HACCP and other) Adopts legislation for contaminants, food hygiene food additives, novel foods, GMO, packaging materials Adopts general rules for labelling for all products

20. HARMONIZED CONTROL OF ANIMAL DISEASES Laws of the Republic of Lithuania Decisions of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania Orders of the Director of the SFVS Regulations of the European Parliament and Council

21. Lessons learned by Lithuania during pre-accession period • Veterinary / food field turned out to be one of the most complicated parts of negotiations (deep concern of agricultural industry) • But some transitional periods were agreed in veterinary field until 2007 • COMM followed very closely the progress of transposition of EU Acquis into the national law as well the progress of implementation and enforcement (FVO Missions, Peer-review missions by TAIEX) • A lot of assistance from the EU was given as granting aid, co-financing, in form of PHARE, TWINNING projects, trainings and study visits of SFVS staffs were provided, support for approximation of legislation, etc.

22. CONCLUSIONS • Accurate transposition of the EU legislationand OIE norms is one of the key elements for successful accession to the EU • Implementation of the EU Acquisand OIE norms raise many discussions with business operators and consumers • Full implementation of EU legislation and OIE norms increases trust in transparent and efficient controls, supports the international trade

23. CONCLUSIONS • Timely transposed EU legislation and OIE norms helps to quickly respond to emergencies, food scandals • Skilled and experienced staff with multidisciplinary motivation is a good platform for implementation of the above goals • Clear organizational structure, adequate position and power of food control authority in the country • Systematic work management guarantees successful food safety and good consumer health.

24. Thank you for your attention