Serbia will have to import from EU - Local farmers in a bad position

Serbian authorities would have to keep protection of customs for import of milk, cheese and butter from EU implemented last year to protect local producers.

The introduction of protective measures emerged after EU imposed sanctions to the Russian Federation and thus huge surplus of milk products appeared which European countries launched at various markets, including Serbian.

Domestic dairy industry almost collapsed and Serbia, in line with the provisions of the Joining and Stabilization Agreement, had the right to introduce temporary additional protection (regardless of the fact that April 1, 2015 complete market liberalization emerged). However, during December, Brussels sent warnings that Serbia must cancel temporary protection and stick to JSA provisions. In other words, this means that now again we have to “open the door” to import of dairy products from EU.

This will be a doom for many peasants which deal with milk since they will not be able to keep up with competition with European farmers who have higher incentives and support.

It is a big question whether Serbia will succeed in “pleading” for extension of protection measures for additional six months, Prostran says and adds that these potential new ”six months of hope” will run quickly and Brussels will require Serbia sticks to what it signed in JSA.