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Drawing up Terms of Reference for IPA 2008 projects ”Support to agricultural policy and IPA RD compliant structures” and ”Support to BiH plant health protection administration” - BiH

Bosna and Herzegovina

European Commission Delegation to BiH

BiH

In 2004 BiH has undertaken important actions at state-level to improve its administrative capacities and legislative framework. The most important developments in this respect include establishment of the Sector for Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Rural Development and adoption of the state Law on Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. At strategic level, the finalisation of a draft BiH Harmonisation Strategy and Operational Programme for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development for 2008-2010 was an important step which created BiH policy framework with six key priority areas for further harmonisation and implementation by the lower level administration. Despite certain development, there is significant risk for overlap in competences between the state level administration as well as in their coordination with lower administrative levels. To overcome these problems, the EU will provide assistance to BiH from IPA programme which will aim at developing the national food control system in line with an integrated EU approach. Background for Component 1 BiH is in the process of establishing an effective administration that will drive the European integration process and the necessary institutional, legal and policy changes. Experience in other applicant countries demonstrates that the EU integration process imposes particularly heavy burden on agricultural administration, which are often the least well-equipped parts of the public service with mandate to cope with increased responsibilities related to transposition and implementation of substantial acquis structures and standards. In BiH this is no exception. The institutional weaknesses of the State and Entity Ministries responsible for Agriculture sector remain substantial. It is unrealistic to believe that MoFTER or the Entities can cope with their EU integration responsibilities in support of the sector with their present staffing levels or technical capacity. More and better skilled staffs are urgently required in order for MoFTER and the Entity Ministries of Agriculture to carry out their responsibilities related to the EU integration and rapidly changing agri-food competitive environment caused by the trade liberalisation. MoFTER and the Entity Ministries of Agriculture also need to be encouraged to galvanise the more direct support and involvement of the private sector in the reform process, as the main stakeholders and potential beneficiaries of integration. Industry involvement is also limited in the absence of effective government policies and measures to support industry competitiveness and profitability in domestic and export markets. Experience with recent Accessions shows that early adoption and enforcement of EU compatible quality and compositional standards is a basic requirement. In addition, BiH needs to design and reinforce its operating structures required for an uptake of IPA Rural Development funds. This will require substantial work on the payment model(s) that will best fit into the specific BiH administrative set up as well as reinforcement at lower level to adapt the harmonised principles of internal control, budgeting and financial management of existing support programmes in a manner to ensure compliance with structures required for the future management of IPA Rural Development funds. Background for Component 2 BiH has relatively recently established the State-level competencies in the area of phytosanitary control by adoption of the relevant legislation and establishment of specialised Plant Health Protection Agency in 2006. As earlier stated the Agency is still at very basic operational level which is caused by the lack of human resources and implementing legislation in force. As a consequence of the above described deadlocks BiH phytosanitary sector is lacking an enforcement and control capacities for undertaking more active role within the overall food safety concept. In this respect, there is an urgent need for revision and adoption of necessary legislative acts and raising capacities of administration at state and entities level. Consequently, the aim of IPA 2008 assistance will be to assist BiH in accomplishing the above task by focusing on key aspects of institutional and capacity building and strengthening inspections and laboratory services for conducting control of harmful organisms, seeds and pesticides on internal market and in international trade. Global and specific objectives. Development of a sustainable, competitive and dynamic agriculture, forestry and food sector in BiH and its gradual alignment with the acquis institutional and regulatory requirements and standards. The specific objective of this project will be to support BiH’s IPA RD programming capacities by preparation of Terms of Reference for the projects proposed for IPA 2008 funding.

Start date: 2008-12-01

End date: 2009-04-30