The fifth session of the Agriculture Committee was held on 23 April, and was chaired by Dr Zoran Masic, chairman of the Committee.

Members of the Committee were acquainted with the Programme of Activities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, and discussed the Information on the Means and Procedures of Using Assets for Subsidies, Bonus Payments and Loans for Agriculture.

The information was presented to the Committee by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Ivana Dulic-Markovic, and her assistants from the Ministry.

The session saw the presentation of the Ministry’s legislative activities in the forthcoming period. Proposals under consideration include the Agriculture Development Strategy, the Agriculture Bill, the Veterinary Medicine Bill, the Laboratory Agency Bill, the Water Bill, Bills on Forestry, Hunting and Plant and Animal Protection, as well as a number of other pieces of legislation, with the aim of regulating the field better and bringing regulation into line with European Union standards.

Ministry representatives informed the Committee that a total of 3.727.500.000,00 dinars was earmarked in the budget for agricultural subsidies and loans, and explained models for offering loans to agricultural producers. Short-term loans payable over 12 months with a 5.5% interest rate per annum are intended for individuals, while both individuals and organisations will be able to take out long-term bank loans and long-term loans from the Development Fund.

Members of the Committee adopted the proposal that the Committee should apply for assets from the OSCE Committee Development Fund.