12th EU - Albania SAA Subcommittee on Agriculture and Fisheries
Representatives from the European Commission (Commission) and Albania held discussions on 3 December 2020 on the level of implementation of the SAA and of the approximation of the country legislation to the EU acquis in the field of agriculture and fisheries, including food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary issues. The meeting was co-chaired for Albania by Ms. Ermira Gjeci, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development and for the EU by Ms. Ingrid Jenezova, permanent secretary for the sub-committee in the Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina Unit of the Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission.
At the meeting, the parties discussed developments in these areas and exchanged detailed trade statistics on trade in basic and processed agricultural products, and fishery products. The Commission highlighted the need for Albania to have in place robust sector strategies for all three sectors under the scope of this Subcommittee, and to assure across the sectors adequate administrative capacities. Robust sector strategies linked to appropriate budgeting process are also essential for successful implementation of IPA III. Moreover, it invited Albania to take on board the recommendations provided in the annual country report 2020 and outline a clear roadmap of their implementation.
As regards agriculture and rural development, the Commission welcomed the efforts of the Albanian authorities in the implementation of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance for Rural Development (IPARD - the EU-funded rural development programme), in particular on the entrusting of the Technical Assistance measure. The Commission also emphasised the need to examine opportunities to expand the scope of IPARD II Programme by entrusting additional measures, highlighted the need to speed-up the preparation for IPARD III, and ensure IPARD implementation in a transparent manner.
The Commission again urged Albania to complete and make fully functional the animals register and to establish the farmer’s register. Both registers are of crucial importance for both: national policy setting including the veterinary policy, and for smooth and successful implementation of IPARD. Albania should provide a clear timeline to complete these two registers no later than in 2021. The Commission also encouraged Albania to carry-out the next Census of Agriculture Holdings (CAH) in 2023.
In the areas of food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary issues, it is of outmost importance that the country completes the reform of the veterinary sector and intensifies the monitoring and surveillance in animal disease control. The Commission invited Albania to continue aligning its legislation in these areas with the latest developments of the EU acquis, as well as to ensure full traceability along the entire food chain.
Concerning fisheries, the Commission urged Albania to finalise all administrative requirements to reactivate the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and recalled that the VMS is notably a key element for the proper implementation of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) multiannual plan for demersal in the Adriatic. Moreover, the Commission invited Albania to continue implementing the GFCM recommendations, especially the multiannual plan for demersal and the emergency measures for small pelagic in the Adriatic.