EUROPEAN UNION – ALBANIA
6TH SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING
Agriculture and Fisheries 2014
Conclusions:
Trade relations in the agricultural sector

The EU delegation took note of note of the progress of bilateral trade in agricultural products
and underlined the need to continue with the approximation of trade statistics, in order to
eliminate some differences reported in trade of PAPs.
Agriculture and rural development

The EU delegation welcomed the finalisation of the agriculture and rural development
strategy and encouraged the Albanian authorities to complete it with a realistic action plan, a
medium term budget program and setting clear targets for the period until 2020 and
suggesting sources of financing.

The findings of the ongoing functional review of the agriculture and food safety should be
analysed and addressed in the relevant parts of the agriculture and rural development action
plan.

The EU delegation invited Albania to carefully analyse the policies towards the
competitiveness of local agricultural production. Particular focus should be placed in possible
challenges expected from the implementation of the new CAP, such as removal of EU
production quotas (e.g. for milk), most probably resulting in lower prices in the short term.

In view of the accreditation for the management of IPARD, the Albanian authorities
undertook to strengthen the administrative capacity of the Management Authority and of
the Paying Agency. Further strengthening of this operating structure is still required.
Strengthening the relevant capacities at the National Authorising Office is still outstanding. In
this respect, the EU delegation also emphasized the importance of retaining staff, in
particular those that have been trained to implement IPARD.

In cooperation with the competent services of DG Agriculture, the Albanian authorities will
analyse and agree on all the necessary conditions and accompanying measures for the
successful implementation of the IPARD programme, taking into consideration lessons
learned from other countries in the region.

The final results of the agricultural census should be carefully reviewed and analysed, in
order to feed into the sectoral policy making.

Additionally, functionality of farm and animal registers and other agricultural information
systems should be ensure as soon as possible, not least in order to enable implementation of
IPARD.

The EU delegation encouraged the Albanian authorities to urgently enhance the
administrative and technical capacity of the national technical bodies to assess the
investment projects of the potential beneficiaries for compliance with the EU standards.
Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy

The EU delegation drew attention to the considerable administrative resources necessary for
the transposition of EU acquis in the sector and to the need for advance planning.

The EU delegation took note of the positive results of the latest national assessment of the
quality of raw milk and encouraged the Albanian authorities to formulate a clear plan for
quality improvement. The Albanian authorities were requested to provide more information
on the sampling methodology used for the control of raw milk quality.

Albania should ensure timely updates and recording of all movements of bovine and small
ruminants in the national databases.

The Commission underlined the importance of close coordination and collaboration with the
region in order to increase the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns and achieve disease
eradication.

The Commission advised on the need for planning and optimizing laboratory capacity in line
with the requirements of EU legislation on National Reference Laboratories.
Fisheries

The EU delegation took note of the reorganisation of the sector, centralising policy making
and inspection services under the Ministry of Agriculture. Strengthening the administrative
capacity would be necessary in the perspective of future implementation of the new
Common Fisheries Policy.

The EU delegation underlined the importance of maintaining the good cooperation with
international organisations and fora and of the full integration of Albania in the GFCM
management plan of small pelagic species in the Adriatic.

The EU delegation encouraged strongly the authorities to pursue their efforts in making the
Vessel Monitoring System and logbook fully operational.