Skopje, 27 November 2023 (MIA) - Chapter 12 is important for the health of our citizens, there is nothing more important than healthy and safe food, Deputy Chief Negotiator with the EU and State Secretary at the Secretariat for European Affairs, Drita Abdiu-Halili, said in an opening address before the European Commission in Brussels on Monday. 

According to the Secretariat for European Affairs, the Chapter includes detailed rules and measures in the area of food safety, setting rules for consumer protection, hygiene and presentation of foodstuffs, controls and mechanisms for assurance of food safety, etc.

"It also covers hygiene aspects related to the processing and placement of food products on the market, particularly food of animal origin. The acquis in this chapter also regulates trade within the Union in live animals and products of animal origin, control of animal diseases and other aspects related to animal health and welfare. In the phytosanitary field, the acquis sets comprehensive rules regarding control of harmful organisms on plant and plant products, use of plant passport in trade of plants intended for planting, procedures for authorisation of plant protection products, quarantine measures, residues of pesticides used in plant production, marketing and qualification of seed and seedling," reads the press release. 

Addressing members of the European Commission, Abdiu-Halili pointed out that this is an extremely important Chapter that consists of numerous binding rules and measures, and their appropriate and effective application is of immense importance for the entire process of negotiations for the country's EU membership.

"This Chapter has a direct impact on citizens' health, food safety and animal health. In the past period, as a state, we have worked intensively on transposing the relevant acquis into our national legislation, as well as strengthening the administrative and operational capacities," Abdiu-Halili noted among other.

The state delegation for Chapter 12 is led by the Deputy Chief Negotiator with the EU, Drita Abdiu-Halili, and the institution responsible for the Chapter is the Food and Veterinary Agency. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Phytosanitary Office, State Inspectorate for Agriculture, Directorate for Seeds and Seed Material, Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning as well as the Secretariat for European Affairs are also part of the working group for this Chapter. 

North Macedonia will complete the screening process with the European Commission with the bilateral screening meetings on Chapters 30 and 31, set to take place on December 6-7, 2023, which are part of cluster 6 - External Relations. 

Photo: Secretariat for European Affairs