Skopje, 12 November 2023 (MIA) - North Macedonia has a good level of preparation in the areas of food safety, and veterinary and phytosanitary policy, notes the European Commission (EC) in its latest progress report on the country. 

According to the Comission, some progress was made over the reporting period, particularly in fighting animal diseases, plant health control and implementing pest eradication measures based on phytosanitary monitoring programmes results.  

However, the EC adds, substantial work is still necessary to collect reliable data on national pesticides use and its impact on human health. 

"Some progress was made on phytosanitary policy. However, measures on the sustainable use of pesticides have not been implemented," notes the report. 

The EC points out that last year's recommendations were not met and therefore remain valid. 

"In the coming year, North Macedonia should in particular adopt the draft laws on food safety, official controls and the new Law on animal health, strengthen capacity for data analysis in the Food Veterinary Agency, and implement measures on the sustainable use of pesticides," the Commission recommends. 

The EC says some progress was made in the placing of food, feed and animal by-products on the market. 

"The revised law on animal by-products has been adopted. Some progress was also made on food safety rules. The legislation was amended in December 2022 to align with the EU acquis on specific requirements for microbiological criteria for food. The Agency continued implementing a programme to monitor food safety, but the data is to be further analysed," the Commission notes. 

Regarding specific rules for feed, reads the report, the legislation was aligned with EU requirements for processed proteins, and with procedures for sampling and laboratory testing. The Agency continued to implement a programme to monitor feed safety and the Agency collected 90% of the 500 planned feed samples.

The Food and Veterinary Agency, it adds, has an active and passive surveillance programme in place for various diseases, but the collection, verification and analysis of data remains insufficient.

Photo: MIA archive