Serbia gets EUR 200 milion annually from the IPA funds of the EU and it will stay like that until 2014, when, with adoption of the new EU budget, much more funds are expected to be set aside for Serbia. European officials announce that agriculture should be one of priorities after obtaining the EU membership candidate status. The rural areas should be the first to feel the benefits of the European integration (IPARD fund).
Serbian agriculture can count on EUR 40 mil from pre accession funds after gaining status of candidate country for EU membership. Serbian Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Mr Dusan Petrovic stated that they conceived system in which the money from IPARD funds will be directed into production and processing of fruits, vegetables, meat and milk. IPARD funds will be operational after confirming system of management. Serbian administration has to provide system which will secure that the funds are going to be spent in accordance with the EU rules.
Confirmation of management will take place in 2013 and funds will be operational from 2014.
