Source: USDA/FAS GAIN report - BK4012

The national–level Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Council of Ministers (CoM)) recently adopted a decision on the establishment of a State Phytosanitary Administration (called the Administration for Plant Health Protection).

Previously, phytosanitary issues were handled at the entity level agricultural ministries, an institutional structure
unacceptable to trading partners and the European Union.  Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of two entities, the Federation and the Republika Srpska, each in charge for its own agricultural sector. Both Agricultural Ministries have their own Veterinary and Phytosanitary Departments.

The decision is only on paper and first must be published in the BiH Official Gazette and later enforced.

The State Phytosanitary Administration will be in charge of policy issues, drafting regulations, improving plant health protection, serving as the enquiry point and representing BiH internationally. The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations will be the umbrella organization for the Administration.

Contact information:
Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations:
Musala 9
71000 Sarajevo
Contact person: Marijo Perc
Tel. +387 33 663 863 (ext. 239)
Fax: +387 33 220 546
E-mail: perc@bih.net.ba

The complete report in PDF format is at http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200405/146106284.pdf