The Standing Committee on Animals, Plants, Food and Animal Feed of the EU has decided to withdraw the measure of additional control for the export of frozen raspberries from the Republic of Serbia, it was confirmed for Fertile Land in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management.
The measure of additional ten percent control, ie control of every tenth shipment of raspberries from Serbia for norovirus, has led to additional costs for exporters and a reduction in the income of raspberry producers. Unofficially, those costs amounted to several thousand euros.
Inspectors of the European Food and Veterinary Office visited Serbia during June-July 2019 for field control of working conditions and methods. The findings of their report were positive. Based on the mentioned findings, on April 21, 2020, the EU Standing Committee on Animals, Plants, Food and Animal Feed made a decision to abolish additional controls on Serbian raspberries when exporting to the EU.
“In recent years, the agricultural inspection sector has intensively contributed to its activities on the establishment of a food safety system that guarantees the quality and safety of products in a very clear, sustainable and transparent manner. We have improved the legislative framework through a series of acts and procedures, supported the accreditation of norovirus testing methods (two laboratories have been accredited, and the third is in the process), and constantly worked on educating inspectors, as well as entities in raspberry production and processing. We especially highlight the educational trainings we organized at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management with the support of local professors from our faculties and institutes, using the support of TAIEX (instrument of the European Commission for technical support and information exchange) and USAID economic development cooperation project. We are about to improve the system that we have established in this area, and for which we have received positive evaluations from the FVO inspectors of the European Commission who checked us, in a sustainable way,” states the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management.
The basic rule that applies is that raspberries should not be planted near where animals are raised, manure is stored, waste is disposed of or near places that have wastewater treatment. It is also important to use clean water for all processes during raspberry growing. Viruses can survive in many agrochemicals, so it is important to use only clean water to apply plant protection products and nutrients.
Attention must also be paid to the hygiene of the harvesting equipment, and the crates must be clean and disinfected and maintained. They must not be used for purposes other than harvesting. If the transport vehicle is used for other purposes, it must be thoroughly cleaned and washed before and after transport, and disinfected if necessary.
Pickers must also take care of hygiene. In case they do not use gloves during the harvest, their hands must be washed. Near the plot, mobile toilets must be installed, Nova reports.
