Zeljko Radosevic, State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, briefed the assembled on the reports submitted by the local self-governments affected by the atmospheric precipitation in April and early May. The bad weather broke fruit-bearing branches which will result in lower yield. This was followed by low temperatures which did additional damage to the crops, as did the hail in certain Serbian municipalities in early May.

“On 3 May, 454 good and one faulty anti-hail rockets were launched in 37 local self-governments from 151 anti-hail stations in the Republic of Serbia. At present, the stations are in possession of 7189 anti-hail rockets ready to launch if needed”, said Radosevic.

According to estimates, the afflicted areas have suffered 20 to 30% damage, concentrated mostly on raspberries, blackberries and other fruit. Ljubovija suffered the most damage – 80% on 150 ha of land under fruit.

The Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia asked the Ministry of Finance to allocate additional budgetary funds to procure 6000 additional rockets. Radosevic said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection is also implementing a series of activities to repair the damage done to the crops by the weather, such as insurance subsidies and subsidies for the purchase of anti-hail nets.

Following a debate the Committee members Concluded to request from the relevant Ministry to focus on anti-hail protection, procure anti-hail rockets, make all anti-hail stations operational, continue to subsidize anti-hail nets and crop insurance, as well as improve the measure and enhance the insurance subsidies in places where the rockets cannot be used, or their use is hampered.

Representatives of the Serbian Veterinary Chamber and the Veterinary Directorate presented the information on the Competition for the allocation of areas set out in the 2017-2019 Animal Protection Measures Programme in the interest of the public. The public competition, called on 18 January and conducted in accordance with the Law and applicable regulation, received applications from 320 veterinary stations. Following the discussion the Committee members Concluded that it is of the opinion that all the requirements have been met to conduct the Competition for the implementation of the Animal Protection Measures Programme adding that the results should be published in the Official Gazette, as per the Veterinary Law. The Committee also recommended to the relevant Ministry to call a Competition for the areas not yet allocated to ensure health protection on the entire territory of Serbia. The Committee recommends that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection act in accordance with the authority set out in the Veterinary Law and pass a decision on the election of legal entities and publish the results of the competition. The Committee also recommends to, once the territory is allocated, conduct continuous inspections and sanction any perceived abuse.

The Committee members then elected a new member of the Subcommittee for Monitoring the Agricultural Situation in the Marginal - Most Undeveloped Areas in the Republic of Serbia, to wit, MA Marko Milenkovic who had resigned from the post of MP, is to be replaced by Zarko Bogatinovic, member of the Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Committee.

The Committee proceeded to send an appeal to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection to forward the monthly reports it submits to the EU to the interested members of the Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Committee.

The sitting was chaired by Committee Chairman Marijan Risticevic, and attended by the following Committee members and deputy members: Vladimir Djuric, Dr Ljubinko Rakonjac, Radovan Jancic, Veroljub Matic, Marko Gavrilovic, Milija Miletic, Prof. Dr Miladin Sevarlic, Dragan Jovanovic, Zarko Bogatinovic, Zvonimir Djokic and Tijana Davidovac.