The European Commission has reported on developments regarding the food safety control systems of five potential European Union countries, including Ukraine and Turkey.
As part of the enlargement package, the European Commission assessed the preparedness of Serbia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Turkey in their efforts to join the EU. A previous article was about Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
Serbia is reasonably prepared in the areas of food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policies, but no progress has been made during the reporting period.
The assessment found that the country continues to apply an inefficient risk-based approach and that EU companies continue to complain about complicated and expensive border controls on imported food.
Additional steps need to be taken to meet the remaining requirements to start exporting fresh poultry meat, eggs and fresh pork to the EU. Serbia has yet to implement the national program to improve milk quality. No progress has been made in aligning the permitted level of aflatoxins in milk with EU rules.
The European Commission’s recommendations from last year remain valid. This includes prioritizing the process of modernizing food businesses so that they are in line with EU rules, and adopting framework legislation on food safety, official controls, animal welfare and genetically modified organisms.
Georgia and Moldova
Georgia has a certain level of preparation in the areas of food safety and veterinary and phytosanitary policies and progress has been made.
The EU has reduced import checks from 30 percent to 20 percent to detect aflatoxin contamination since the national authority implemented the recommendations of an October 2023 audit of the relevant control system.
Some problems remain with the EU’s trade control and export system, particularly regarding the issuance of electronic certificates, and five out of ten border inspection posts require improved infrastructure and equipment.
Budgets have been increased in 2023 and 2024, but are insufficient to effectively implement part of the new legislative framework. Private sector awareness and self-monitoring of food safety also need to be improved.
Moldova has some preparedness in food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policies and has made progress in strengthening the capacities of authorities, including a reform of the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA). During the reporting period, Moldova was allowed to export fresh poultry meat to Europe.
Institutions responsible for consumer protection received 5,066 complaints, of which 986 concerned food products. Further efforts are needed in risk assessment and reporting on risk-based official controls.
The European Commission’s recommendations include raising awareness of food safety and quality standards among producers, businesses and consumers to improve compliance and implementation.
Ukraine and Turkey
Ukraine remains moderately prepared in the field of food safety. Some progress has been made, such as expanding the use of the EU Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) and reforming food safety institutions.
Ukraine’s State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, responsible for food safety control, has reduced staff in line with its reform process. Ukraine participates in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), but is not a member of the network.
Implementing legislation on products of animal origin was adopted. A system for risk analysis, assessment and management is in place. Capacity has been strengthened with more staff and the establishment of expert groups, a database and a scientific network.
Regarding genetically modified organisms (GMOs), Ukraine adopted a law in August 2023 regulating genetic engineering activities and establishing authorization procedures for GMOs and a system of official controls. This will come into effect in September 2026.
Turkey has a certain level of preparation in the areas of food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policies, but no progress has been made during the reporting period.
The number of RASFF reports on pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables imported from Turkey remains high. Provisions on the financing of inspections are not aligned with the EU system.
According to a 2023 report on the EU’s enforcement of intellectual property rights, Turkey was the second country of origin for the number of counterfeit goods entering the EU. The second most retained item was food, followed by other drinks.
The European Commission’s recommendations last year were not met. They include modernizing food businesses to meet EU standards, especially for raw milk. Specifications and rules for the use of milk that do not meet the cell-cell criteria have not yet been established.
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