The Subcommittee members discussed the topic with Velimir Stanojevic, State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Prof. Cvijan Mekic of the Belgrade Faculty of Agriculture and Goran Mitic, Director of the Centre for Green Economy.

Subcommittee Chairman Milija Miletic said that large areas in the south-east of Serbia allow for the development of organic livestock farming. He said that the field has the necessary legislation and the mountainous regions offer plenty of developmental potential since they are environmentally sound and enable the breeding of autochthonous breeds. He opined that, with the help of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection and local self-governments, organic production could yield as much as 30% more than conventional production.

State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Velimir Stanojevic said that organic production in Serbia is still in its early days. According to 2016 data, 126 households had applied for subsidies for this type of production, and as of the middle of 2017, there have been only 90. Organic livestock farming covers 3,300 to 3,500 heads of cattle, about 7,000 goats and no more than 3,500 bee hives, said Stanojevic. He opined that the Ministry’s stimulation packages encourage organic production especially in the mountainous regions since they are unpolluted, so this type of production receives up to 30% more funds than conventional production. He added that since producers cannot survive alone they need to join forces into branch cooperatives, which would also facilitate the promotion and placement of regional products.

Prof. Cvijan Mekic of the Belgrade Faculty of Agriculture listed the advantages of the mountainous regions, which make up 65% of Serbia: the population, natural resources, lack of pollution and existence of autochthonous breeds and production technology which are unique both in the country and in Europe. With an adequate use of land, better infrastructure and adequate economic measures, this could create a sustainable cattle and sheep breeding system. He presented a cattle and sheep breeding sustainability model, which would, along with eco-tourism, help revive the villages in these areas and reduce depopulation.

Director of the Centre for Green Economy Goran Mitic presented some ideas how to transform agricultural production in Serbia into organic production, and possible funding proposals.

Following a debate the Subcommittee members unanimously concluded to ask the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection to focus on organic livestock farming and development of the mountainous regions, as well as initiate an amendment to the Law regulating the return of rough grazings and pastures to villages for use.

The sitting was chaired by Subcommittee Chairman Milija Miletic, and attended by Subcommittee members Zarko Bogatinovic and Dalibor Radicevic, as well as MP Goran Cabradi.