Agriculture and Livestock

AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK

The political objective

Plant production is part of the National Strategy for Economic and Social Development of the country, is part of the priorities in the Government Program, is part of the Plan for European Integration and part of the Action Plan for the Implementation of the European Partnership (2010-2014).

Based on articles 71, 76 and 95 of the SAA for the field of plant production, the main objective is the gradual alignment of Albanian legislation with that of the Community as well as the development of strategies for land use, land market, rural development, diversification of farming activities and increasing competitiveness in agriculture.

The general goal is to guide and ensure a sustainable development of agricultural plants in order to optimally increase production to best meet the needs of the country, minimize import and increase opportunities for export, as well as support and manage this development.

Actual situation:

In the plant production sector, an increase in production is observed for each crop, where the increase in production is more evident in protected areas (we have an increase in the protected area by 40-50 ha per year and for the year 2010 by 100 ha). It is worth noting that as a result of the support policies of the Government, through the support scheme for plastic in greenhouses, etc., this trend of production growth is maintained from year to year.

Albania with its climatic conditions, geographical position as well as many years of tradition in the cultivation of vegetables and potatoes, has potential opportunities for the cultivation of over 60 vegetable species. Currently, more than 30 such species are cultivated and the trend for increasing the number of species is growing. This fact and other favorable factors have made the production of vegetables currently in some potential areas of the country to be extended throughout the year. The same thing is worth mentioning for the fruit-growing sector, where as a result of supporting policies, since 2007 we have had a significant increase in the area planted with fruit trees, olives, citrus fruits, vineyards, etc., as well as irrigation services, processing, etc. .

Where is the specificity of the Sector:

i. They are delicate products that are damaged and perish quickly, have a short shelf life after harvest, and are in demand every day in the market;
ii. The production and marketing of fruits/vegetables is a global activity and therefore the competition laws of the sector are present;
iii. Meeting market demands such as: variety and continuity in the production of fresh fruits/vegetables;
iv. Fulfillment of consumer tastes and safety for healthy product;
c. Increasing the value of the product by providing post-harvest manipulation;
vi. Standards of transport, storage, trading up to the customer’s desk;

In the real conditions of the demographic movements of the population, a new trend is observed in the cultivation of fruits/vegetables as a result of:

i. Concentration of fruit/vegetable production area around cities (development of peri-urban agriculture and better road and marketing infrastructure);
ii. Specialized and industrialized fruit/vegetable production in some regions;
iii. Increasing the area of protected areas;
iv. Increasing their variety and varieties;
c. Post-harvest treatment;
vi. The dominance of supermarkets in the commercial network.

What are the Government’s policies for the Sector:
The government with its policies intends to intervene to

i. provide support for the agro-processing industry;
ii. support farmers’ products;
iii. improve product quality in order to reach EU standards;
iv. ensure protection and food safety for the consumer.

These policies also consist of:

i. Alleviating the difficulties that exist as a result of the old mentality of farmers and their adaptation to the new conditions of the market economy, reducing the cost of agricultural inputs, organizing the production and distribution of agricultural products as well as facilities in equipping markets;

ii. The fruit/vegetable sector is listed as one of the priorities of the Agriculture Sector which aims to: Support Agricultural production, making possible the introduction and use of new technologies in agriculture such as Friendly technologies, GAP (Good Agricultural Practices ), post-harvesting (post-harvest practices), etc., supporting these in the CAP (Common Agricultural Policies), the organization of producer cooperatives that market their own products, in support of the standards of the CMO (Common Organization of Market);

iii. Taking into consideration the demographic changes in the country and the global ones, the change of consumer preferences, the development of production-processing-trade technology, the change of human resources, the financial change of the markets themselves as a result of the continued growth of clustering in the industry and growth of consultative services as well as the restructuring of the food network itself, which in itself brings about the change of strategies at the company level, it arises as an immediate necessity to draw up a policy oriented towards the development of marketing, considering agriculture as an ever-evolving priority aimed at in the production and marketing of healthy products (organic products), light (semi-ready), continuous (cooking for the whole year) as well as in restaurants, etc.

Where does the Sector’s development plan aim (including marketing):
To clearly orient the strategic lines of policy development and public interventions in the direction of:

• Increasing the competitiveness and promotion of domestic agricultural production in the domestic and foreign market;
• Increasing the value of products and income of farmers in Albania;
• Continuous improvement of production technologies & valid information about them;
• Low transport costs;
• Increasing access to credit (facilitation in advanced technologies, financing in the liberalization of the market and telecommunications);
• Consolidation of the processing industry;
• Consolidation of storage and retail sale of products;
• Increasing demand for producers, processors in terms of achieving quality, safety, packaging and other standards to satisfy consumer demands and for legal protection (food safety);
• Higher productivity and efficiency from vertical coordination (vertical coordination through production contracts helps lower costs and increases control over the supply network);
• Ensuring production contracts;
• Attracting direct investments;
• Joint ventures of farmers with local and foreign investors;
• Strategic connections; (direct investments, joint ventures and strategic connections bring money, technology and markets to other countries, especially those of the region);
• Branding;
• Private labels;
• Packaging;
• Etc.

Agriculture has been and is one of the most important economic activities for our country. Currently, agriculture remains the basic branch of the country’s economy, for several reasons:

i. The large percentage of the population that lives in agricultural regions and that has the main source of income from agricultural activity;
ii. Low level of industrialization;

The general objective of agriculture is the sustainable growth of production, achieving:
i. improving the supply of the market for consumption and processing entities;
ii. reducing the export-import ratio;
iii. increasing the economic level of agricultural families;
iv. etc.

In this direction, regardless of the negative balance of import and export, in the last three years, an increase in Albanian exports with the countries of the region has been observed, and further, it is worth mentioning here the fact that the local production has undergone an increase as a result of the increase in the area of planted, but also as a result of the increase in the yield of agricultural crops. These increases are reflected in both production and value.

For the above, the change of planting structures in favor of the most sought-after crops in the market and which provide a greater profit margin for the Albanian farmer has a significant impact.
Despite the achievements in the fruit/vegetable sector, Albania still does not meet its market and consumer needs. This is the result of a number of factors:

i. The large import of fruits/vegetables has reduced the production interest for a group of crops, the cost of which is higher than that of imports.
ii. The seasonal character of fruits/vegetables for certain areas does not allow the continuous supply of the market with local products, which makes the increase in the import of these products inevitable;
iii. The quality of fruits/vegetables, although pleasing to the local consumer for their taste, often does not meet quality and marketing standards;
iv. The interests of traders (who are often wholesalers) to supply the market continuously and at a higher profit for them lead to the importation of fruit/vegetable products as they do not ensure the quantity, quality and time of trading (continuity of supply) in the local market;
v. The lack of a post-harvest treatment, packaging techniques and refrigerated transport system, causes great losses as a result of product damage and spoilage (rotting, etc.).

All these factors along with:

i. production losses,
ii. small farm area,
iii. lack of labor force (migration and emigration) as well as
iv. the low level of production technology in some areas and certain farmers,
c. high prices of agricultural inputs,
vi. lack of unity among producers (cooperation), etc.,
make it necessary: the deepening of scientific work in the field of plant production, alongside the Government’s supporting policies, for the realization of integrated production to successfully face the challenges of the market in general and its globalization in particular.
This is due to the fact that the success of modern production and marketing of agricultural products depends on:
vii. The degree of implementation of the achievements of modern science and technology,
viii. The degree of qualification of specialists in the field,
ix. The degree of mechanization of work and marketing processes and above all
x. Speed and accuracy of information.

How have the supporting policies of the Government affected:

For 2007, there were three sectors that benefited from the Agricultural Incentive Scheme: Vineyards, Horticulture and Olives.

For the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 20912, the range of support was expanded, where in addition to fruit trees, olive trees and vineyards, drip irrigation, autochthonous vegetables according to typical cultivation areas, support in the heating system and plastics were introduced into the scheme. in greenhouses, certification of “BIO” products, cultivated medicinal plants, etc.

MBZHRAU has supported its priorities in its policies in the direction of cooperativism in agriculture, thus aiming at an organization of production, greater opportunities for production according to the standards required by the market, not only the regional or the EU market, but also from the local one. The project started by FAO in this direction, followed by the Spanish Cooperation as well as the continuous technical assistance and not only by the Japanese Government have given a significant help starting from the improvement of the legal framework. Today we have a new law for cooperative societies in the field of agriculture that significantly positively affects the field of plant production and not only.

LIVESTOCK
VETERINARY SERVICE

The Livestock Production Sector, in accordance with the obligations pursuant to Article 95 of the SAA, as well as in support of the implementation of the Government’s program, has as its main purpose to analyze, identify and draft policies, sectoral strategies in function of the development of livestock, to direct and supports at the national and local level the growth and better fulfillment of the demands and needs of the market with livestock products through the rational use of resources and the introduction of new techniques and technologies in production through:

• Drafting and approximation of legislation with that of the EU, within the framework of development and integration policies through the proposal, drafting and implementation of laws and by-laws that operate in the field of animal husbandry.
• Drafting policies and programs for the development of livestock in the aspects of animal breeding and their racial improvement, as well as production.
• Preparation of the appropriate legal framework for the implementation of development policies in the livestock sector.
• Strengthening the system of monitoring and implementation of measures related to zootechnical standards of animal breeding.
• Promotion and consolidation of sustainable livestock production systems with specialized farms, egg and meat production industrial complexes, as well as food production.
• Good management of cultivated and autochthonous animal genetic resources in livestock.
• Improving the system of control, quality and marketing of racial materials, in accordance with the standards.
• Evaluation of trends in the development of livestock through studies, analyzes on the structure and determination of priorities in the development of livestock production.

The Livestock Production Sector exercises its activity based on Law No. 9426, dated 06.10.2005 “On Livestock Breeding” (amended by law No. 9864, dated 28. 01. 2008 “On some additions and changes to law No. 9426, dated 06. 10. 2005 “On Livestock Breeding “, (which is the main law that defines the institutional framework for animal breeding in Albania), as well as with Law No. 10137, dated 11. 05. 2009 “On some changes in the legislation in force for licenses, authorizations and permits in the Republic of Albania”. Law No. 8702, dated 1. 12. 2000 “On the identification and registration of animals and livestock farms”, Law No. 8411, dated 01.10.1998 “On Livestock Food” (amended also by law no. 10137, dated 11. 05. 200 “On some changes in the legislation in force for licenses, authorizations and permits in the Republic of Albania) as well as a series of by-laws.

THE INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED IN THE REALIZATION OF LIVESTOCK OBJECTIVES ARE:

The General Directorate of Agricultural Policies in MBUMK is the competent authority for the exercise of activities in the field of animal husbandry through:
a. Livestock production sector
b. Livestock specialists in the Regional Directorates of Agriculture.
c. Agricultural Technology Transfer Centers
d. Public and/or private advisory service

Livestock Production Sector

The Livestock Production Sector is responsible for the sustainable development of Livestock Production in the country through the drafting of legislation, sectoral strategies, as well as development policies and programs for the protection, improvement and preservation of the qualities of animal genetic resources to promote the growth of livestock production. , the creation and propagation of racial values and the preservation of the genetic variability of farm animals.

The Livestock Production Sector is responsible for:

– Development of strategy and policy for the livestock sector
– Monitoring, evaluation and systematic renewal of livestock production policies and strategies.
– Analyzes necessary for the development of policies, the design of programs for the implementation of livestock development policies for good animal breeding,
– Drafting and approximation of legislation in the field of animal husbandry
– Evaluation of genetic progress for determining the profitability of breeds, setting priorities for breed work strategy
– Identification of autochthonous and cultivated genetic resources and the proposal of protective measures for them.
– Monitoring and implementation of legislation in terms of animal breeding and racial improvement, as well as the protection and development of the autochthonous genetic fund, as well as the implementation of measures related to zootechnical standards of animal breeding.

Regional Directorates of Agriculture (DRB):

Livestock specialists (zootechnicians) exercise their activity in the Regional Directorates of Agriculture. This network of livestock specialists controls and ensures:
· implementation of legislation in the field of animal husbandry.
· meeting the conditions for sustainable breeding of farm animals.
· racial improvement.
· food and animal nutrition.
· trading of racial materials.

Private zootechnical service

The private zootechnical service operates in the field of animal reproduction, where 480 qualified technical inseminators from the Agricultural Technology Transfer Center (public service) and the private service (whose program is approved by MBUMK) work.
Private Zootechnical Service, operating in farms and livestock establishments and Animal Breeding Organizations,

Agricultural Technology Transfer Centers

Agricultural Technology Transfer Centers (QTTB) Fushë – Krujë and Korçë are technology transfer structures in livestock farming, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection. QTTB Fushë-Kruje is the National Reference Center (NRC) for:
– Control of foods used in livestock.
– Control of racial materials (sperms, eggs, embryos).
– QTTBs carry out their activities in implementation of livestock production development policies.

Advisory service

The advisory service is included in the structures of the DRB where zootechnicians operate, which operate up to the level of the Municipality.

Livestock Council

The Livestock Council (K. B), is a body that is approved by the minister for a period of 4 years with the right to re-election pursuant to Article 73 of Law No. 9864, dated 28. 01. 2008 “On some additions and changes to Law No. 9426, dated 06.10.2005 “On Livestock Breeding”. The tasks for the function of the Livestock Council are:

1. The Livestock Council is an advisory body of the minister that covers the field of livestock
2. The Livestock Council gives opinions:

– for agricultural policies, which regulate the field of animal husbandry;
– for long-term development programs;
– for racial programs presented for approval;
– for the annual reports on the activities carried out within the framework of the racial programs;
– for important regulations in the field of livestock;
– for the recognition of autochthonous races;
– for livestock feeding and feed
– for changes in/or introduction of new methods for predictions of breed value and evaluation of breed animals

Legislative measures

The Livestock Production Sector, referring to the commitments arising from the implementation of the SAA, has aimed to implement a series of policies related to undertaking a series of legal initiatives in the field of approximation of local legislation with that of the EU.
In legislative measures, the process of approximation of the legal framework is focused on the drafting of basic legislation in the field of livestock production in relation to the zootechnical standards of purebred reproductive animals as well as in relation to the definition of criteria for the use of purebred animals for reproduction purposes which provides for the zootechnical standards and conditions for the trade of racial material as well as the requirements for the use of purebred animals for reproduction purposes, for natural mating and/or artificial insemination as well as the use of their sperm.

The legislative measures will aim at the further alignment of the Albanian legislation in the field of animal husbandry with that of the community as well as the improvement of inter-institutional coordination for its implementation.

The current policies of the Livestock Production Sector are mainly focused on increasing the number of animals (cattle and small animals) within the livestock farm with the aim of consolidating farms and orienting these farms towards the market. Also, supporting the production of purebred heifers aiming at the creation and promotion of purebred associations as well as the creation of the local market for animals with identified purebred values.

LEGISLATION IN THE FIELD OF LIVESTOCK

1. Law no. 9426, dated 06. 10. 2005 “On Livestock Breeding” amended by Law No. 9864, dated 28. 01. 2008 “On some additions and changes to Law No. 9426, dated 06. 10. 2005 “On Livestock Breeding”, and with the law no. 10137, dated 11. 05. 2009 “On some changes in the legislation in force for licenses, authorizations and permits in the Republic of Albania”

2. Order of the Minister No. 4, dt. 9. 09. 2008 for approval of the regulation on “Minimum standards of breeding domestic animals (Minimum standards of breeding cattle-calves)”.

3. VKM No. 1708 dt. 29.12.2008 “On the implementation of programs for the in-situ conservation of indigenous breeds of small cattle”

4. VKM no. 436, dated 2. 06. 2010 “On some changes in decision no. 1634, dated 17. 12. 2008, of the Council of Ministers, “On determining the procedures and the method of financial support, for the preservation of the genetic reserve of the autochthonous breed of cattle”

5. Order of the Minister No. 3, dated 5.08.2008, for the approval of the regulation on “Certification of purebred animals of the species of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, purebred and hybrid pigs, their sperm, ovules and embryos”

6. Order of the Minister No. 1, dated 4.03.2009 for the approval of the regulation on “Standards for Breeding Pigs and Broilers”

7. Order of the Minister No. 2 days 22. 07. 2008 for the approval of the regulation “On the reproduction of farm animals, the production and trading of racial materials”.

8. Order of the Minister no. 422, dated 17.12.2009 for the approval of the regulation “On the conditions for the registration of purebred breeders of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, purebred and hybrid pigs in the genealogical book”.

9. Order of the Minister no. 83, dated 16.03.2010, for approval of the regulation “On animal breeding organizations”,

10. Order of the Minister no. 300, dated 8.10.2010 for the approval of the regulation “On methods of measurement and evaluation of production and other traits as well as methods for evaluation of genetic values of pure breed breeders of the bovine species”

11. Order of the Minister no. 333, dated 17.11.2010 for the approval of the regulation “On methods of measurement and evaluation of production and other features as well as methods for evaluation of genetic values of pure breed breeders of sheep and goats”.

12. Order of the Minister no. 332, dated 17. 11. 2010 for the approval of the regulation “On methods of measurement and evaluation of production and other traits as well as methods for evaluation of genetic values of pure breed breeders of pigs and hybrid pigs”.

13. Order of the Minister no. 303, dated 04.11.2011 for the approval of the regulation “On the zootechnical standards of purebred breeding animals of the bovine species”

14. Order of the Minister no. 318 dated 14.11.2011 for the approval of the regulation “On the zootechnical standards of purebred breeding animals of the sheep and goat species”

15. Order of the Minister no. 6, dated 09.01.2012 for the approval of the regulation “On determining the criteria for the use of purebred cattle for reproduction purposes”

16. Order of the Minister no. 360, dated 27. 12. 2011 for the approval of the regulation “On determining the criteria for the use of purebred sheep and goats for reproductive purposes”.

17. Order of the Minister no. 237 dated 26.07.2012 for approval of the regulation “On zootechnical standards of purebred pigs for reproduction

18. Order of the Minister no. 298 dated 10.10.2012 for the approval of the regulation “On determining the criteria for the use of purebred pigs for breeding purposes”

19. Order of the Minister no. 346 dated 13.12.2012 for the approval of the regulation “On determining the criteria for the use of hybrid pigs for breeding purposes”

VETERINARY SERVICE

The Veterinary Service in the Republic of Albania operates based on Law No. 10465, approved on 29.09.2011, “On the Veterinary Service in the Republic of Albania”, amended.
The competent veterinary authority is the Directorate of the Veterinary Service at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, it is the authority responsible for the general regulation of veterinary issues related to animal health, such as:

a) drafts the health and welfare policies of live animals, as well as the programs of prevention, control, elimination up to the eradication of infectious diseases in animals, according to the provisions of this law;
b) designs short-term, medium-term and long-term strategies of veterinary activities, according to the provisions of this law;
c) proposes the improvement of the veterinary legislation, according to the provisions of this law, approximating and harmonizing it with the legislation of the European Union;
ç) monitors and draws up reports on the epidemiological situation of infectious diseases in animals in the territory of the Republic of Albania, in cooperation with the structures that carry out veterinary activities;
d) informs state institutions, public health structures, interested parties in the country, the OIE, the EU and other international organizations about the epidemiological situation of infectious diseases in animals in the territory of the Republic of Albania;
dh) supervises the implementation of this law, as well as the by-laws in its implementation;
e) administers the financial means for the protection of animal health and welfare, protection from zoonoses, as well as the training of specialists, previously approved by order of the minister;
ë) protects the health and welfare of animals in:
i) their breeding;
ii) production and storage of embryonic products;
iii) trade, exchange and transportation of animals and embryonic products;
iv) companion animals;
v) laboratory animals;
f) register veterinary medical products, disinfectants and certified disinfectants, which are produced or marketed in the territory of the Republic of Albania;
g) controls biosecurity, disinfection, disinsection, deratization and destruction of infected materials;
gj) keeps and updates the official register for:
i) farms and livestock establishments;
ii) entities that trade animals;
iii) entities that produce, store and trade embryonic products;
iv) individuals who transport animals, embryonic products, by-products of animal origin, not for human consumption;
v) animal collection centers or quarantine points;
vi) entities that produce or trade PMV;
vii) veterinary laboratories;
viii) the places where veterinary medical practice is carried out and the veterinarians working there;
ix) institutions and persons who are allowed to perform animal experiments;
h) supervises the process of identification and registration of animals of livestock farms, in accordance with the national legislation in force, and:

The animal health and welfare sector at DSHV is responsible for the alignment of veterinary legislation with that of the EU, the design and supervision of the implementation of veterinary prophylaxis programs on a national scale, the supervision of the implementation of national programs for monitoring residues in animals and animal products. their, the supervision of the national water and bivalve mollusc monitoring program, the supervision of the activity of official animal health veterinarians in the districts for the diagnosis and treatment of parasitic and infectious diseases in public and rural areas (observation, warning, prevention, control and eradication of contagious animal diseases), continuous control of the sanitary and veterinary conditions of the establishments for the growth and breeding of live animals of various species, of aquaculture and bivalve molluscs, as well as the supervision of the implementation of the national veterinary legislation as a whole.

The sector of animal identification and registration of livestock farms in DSHV is responsible for the operation of the system of identification of animals and registration of livestock farms, the design and supervision of the implementation of the program of identification of animals and registration of livestock farms.

The regional veterinary service is composed of the Regional Directorates of Agriculture, with administrative dependence on DRB and technical dependence on DSHV. The regional veterinary service is represented by Official Veterinarians in 12 districts, with distribution depending on the territory and the number of animals (ranging from 6 to 20 official veterinarians per district).
This control network guarantees the implementation of Law No. 10465, dt. 4.11.2004 “For the veterinary service in the Republic of Albania” and Law no. 8702, 01.12.2000 “On the system of identification and registration of animals”, VKM – and the by-laws in their implementation, and is responsible for the protection of animal health

He carries out control in the districts, municipalities and communes with the aim of:
· prevention of diseases;
· guaranteeing sanitary-veterinary conditions in live animal markets and animal breeding establishments;
· control of animal feed;
· Identification of animals and registration of livestock farms;
· Monitoring of residues in live animals and animal products;

The Institute of Food Safety and Veterinary Medicine is the national veterinary laboratory reference center (according to law no. 10465). It depends on the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection and is responsible for designing, in cooperation with DSHK, strategies for tracking and combating infectious and parasitic diseases in land animals, water and poultry.

The institute carries out veterinary diagnoses and animal health prophylaxis testing in accordance with the national program. It carries out testing programs for the control of epizootic diseases, veterinary drugs and diagnoses of general diseases, is responsible for the implementation of national programs for monitoring waste, waters and bivalve molluscs. He is also responsible for conducting testing of food products of animal origin in cooperation with the Institute of Public Health. ISUV cooperates with FAO, WHO, OIE and other reference laboratories for the confirmation of various infectious diseases.

The Department of Animal Health at ISUV includes 6 sectors, bacteriology, virology, parasitology, mycology, veterinary epidemiology and control of veterinary drugs. In total, this department has 28 people, of which 23 specialists and 5 laboratory technicians. Also, part of ISUV is the biopreparations production sector with a total of 11 people, of which 3 specialists and 8 laboratory technicians.

ISUV implements the quality management system based on the ISO 17025:2005 standard. The Quality Management Department at ISUV consists of 5 specialists and 13 quality referents (one person for each sector of ISUV). Currently, 6 tests have been accredited by the General Directorate of Accreditation (national accreditation body) and the accreditation of these tests has also been approved by a foreign accreditation body (Accredia – national accrediting body in Italy).
State Laboratory of Veterinary Control (LSHKV). As part of the veterinary service, the State Laboratory of Veterinary Control is established and operates, which controls veterinary medical products (drugs and bioproducts), produced locally or imported. Biopreparations in the country are produced by units authorized by the ministry and are used after being checked by the LSHKV. Fees for conducting analyzes are determined by joint instruction of the minister and the minister responsible for finance.

Basic laws in the field of veterinary medicine

1. Law no. 10465, dated 29.09.2011 “On the veterinary service in the Republic of Albania”;
The purpose of this law is:
– Defining the basic principles for the protection of animal health and welfare, according to the international standards of the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE) and the European Union;
– Regulation, organization, financing of the veterinary service, determination of responsibilities, rules and procedures of the veterinary service in protection of animal health and welfare;
– Protection of public health in the Republic of Albania from zoonotic diseases transmitted by animals, in accordance with EU legislation.
2. Law no. 8702, dated 01.12.2000 “On the system of identification and registration of animals”;
The purpose of this law is:
– regulating the movement of agricultural animals through individual identification;
– registration of livestock farms and their equipment with a special registration number;
– quick and accurate exchange of data on the location of animals for veterinary, zootechnical and statistical purposes;
– regulation of relations between the responsible state institution and owners of livestock farms.

DCM

3. Decision of the Council of Ministers no. 646 dated 1995 “On the adaptation of EU directives in the field of sea products”
4. Decision of the Council of Ministers no. 320, dated 19.03.2008 “On the system of identification of animals and registration of livestock farms”
5. Decision of the Council of Ministers no. 198. date, 19.02.2009 “For an amendment to VKM no. 320, dated 19.03.2008, for the system of animal identification and registration of livestock farms”
6. Decision of the Council of Ministers no. 831. date, 29.07.2009 “For an addition to VKM no. 320, dated 19.03.2008, for the system of identification of animals and registration of livestock farms”
7. Decision of the Council of Ministers no. 408, dated 8.5.2013 “On compensation for eliminated animals”8. Decision of the Council of Ministers no. 230, dated 20.03.2013 “On defining the functions, specific tasks and standards of the veterinary service of the local government”
9. Order of the Council of Ministers no. 41, dated 2.04.2013 “On the establishment of the interministerial working group for the coordination and control of the oral vaccination campaign against rabies in Albania”

LEGISLATION

In the framework of PKZMSA, article 70 regarding the approximation of legislation and article 95 “Agriculture and the agro-industrial sector” of the MSA, a number of by-laws have been approved pursuant to law no. 9308, dated 04.11.2004 “On the Veterinary Service and Inspectorate” and later after its repeal pursuant to law no. 10465, dated 29.09.2011 “On the Veterinary Service in the Republic of Albania”, which lead to the improvement of standards in preserving the health of animals and especially against zoonotic diseases with a negative impact on human health as well as strengthening official control by increasing the degree of protection of health and consumer interests.

The process of approximation of the legal framework is focused on:

1. The basic legislation in the control of diseases with a spreading and harmful nature in animals. The short-term and medium-term objective has been met by partially approximating the EU legislation on dangerous diseases for animals such as foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever, blue tongue, rabies, mad cow disease.
2. The ecclesiastical framework for the control of problematic zoonotic diseases for the country has been completed by fulfilling the short-term objective with the partial alignment of EU directives and regulations for these diseases: tuberculosis, brucellosis, anthrax, monitoring of zoonoses and zoonotic agents.
3. The legal package on animal identification and registration of livestock farms was worked on and completed, partially adapting the EU regulations in this field not only for cattle but also for small livestock.
4. EU normative acts dealing with the monitoring of residues in live animals and products of animal origin have been continuously worked on.
5. Efforts are being made to align EU directives, regulations or decisions to update and complete the legal framework in the field of production and marketing of veterinary medicinal products.