At its fourth session, held on 6 April, the Agriculture Committee discussed the Information of the Ministry of International Economic Relations on measures taken to control sugar production.

Predrag Sladojevic, ministerial aide for food industry and market, informed the Committee of the problems relating to the production of and trade in sugar, and stressed the necessity of taking the appropriate measures in order for our country’s preferential status in the trading of sugar to be restored before personnel changes are made in the European Union.

The Committee decided that the Report was incomplete, and asked the Ministry of International Economic Relations for precise information on the means of overcoming problems relating to the control of trade between Serbia and Montenegro. The Committee requested information from appropriate Ministries on the production of and trade in sugar, as well as on criminal charges brought against persons suspected of trading in cane sugar.

The Committee discussed the Information of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management on subsidies to growers of industrial crops. The Ministry was requested to forward reports on the volume of subsidies paid out, misspent funds, if any, and new models of subsidies, premiums and lending to support agricultural production.

The Director of the Veterinary Medicine Agency, Dejan Krnjajic, informed the members of the Committee of the spread of brucelosis in the Republic of Serbia and the measures taken to contain it. The Committee expressed support for the measures taken by the Ministry - the cull of cattle, accompanied by compensation for damages, the increase in the number of veterinary inspectors in order to improve the control of the trade in animals, the introduction of obligatory cattle marking, as well as better co-operation between state bodies and veterinary and health institutions.