EU Food and Veterinary Office's mission expected in Chisinau May 31 – June 4

A delegation from the EU's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) will be on a mission in Chisinau during May 31 – June 4 to assess Moldova's performance in fulfilling the recommendations of the Directorate General for Health and Consumer Affairs (DG SANCO) on the control of residues in food of animal origin and in veterinary medicines, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to Moldovan Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Valeriu Cosarciuc, the assessment will be done in the context of Moldova's efforts to acquire the status of third-party country for exporting food of animal origin to the EU markets. The minister told a recent meeting of the National Commission for European Integration that 6 out of 11 recommendations formulated by DG SANCO were fulfilled, 3 were partially fulfilled and 2 have not been implemented yet. Among the fulfilled recommendations Valeriu Cosarciuc mentioned the adoption of the law on sanitary and veterinary activity, the establishment of the Sanitary and Veterinary Agency and its territorial structures, the promotion of 60 other legal documents to obtain access to the EU markets. A set of regulations is now being developed for food hygiene, while veterinary specialists undergo systematic trainings. Despite the establishment of the State Enterprise for Livestock Identification and Traceability, only 35 percent, or 1.75 million head of livestock can be identified at the moment due to insufficient financing. To achieve full identification, the Enterprise will need a total of 56 million lei throughout three years, from 2011 to 2013. Other costly efforts include developing an information system for animal food traceability, modernizing labs to test animal food and veterinary medicines and check them for residues, etc. Minister Cosarciuc hopes that after this assessment mission Moldova will be able to at least export honey to the EU, with meat exports to be allowed in two or three years if all the traceability recommendations are implemented.