Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA)
The Food and Veterinary Agency develops and implements the policies of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, for the protection of animal and plant health. Through them and border control, it aims to preserve public health by guaranteeing safe food. The FVA is accountable to the Government of Kosovo for its work.
The Government of Kosovo has delegated the FVA as the authority for control in the field of safety, hygiene, traceability and labeling of food and animal feed in the areas of processing, packaging, distribution, wholesale and retail according to national legislation and harmonized EU legislation.
Objectives
The main objectives of the Authority are focused on ensuring food safety, protecting animal and plant health, and implementing legal and biological standards in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo.
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To ensure monitoring and control of infectious animal diseases, zoonoses and animal welfare, elimination of disease outbreaks, application of all necessary biological measures to prevent the introduction of infectious diseases and zoonoses into the territory of Kosovo.
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In the field of plant protection, the FVA is responsible for ensuring an effective system of controls of harmful organisms for plants and plant products in accordance with phytosanitary standards.
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Taking phytosanitary actions aimed at preventive measures to prevent the entry, concentration and spread of diseases and quarantine pests of plants and plant products and other objects in the Republic of Kosovo.
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To ensure food safety at all stages of handling to protect the interests of consumers. To ensure that food placed on the market and exported complies with safety, labelling and other mandatory requirements established by legislation.
History
The Kosovo Veterinary Service was established on 1 June 2000. The establishment of the Service was based on UNMIK Regulation No 2000/27 on the establishment of the Department of Agriculture in 2000. Following the approval of the Law on Veterinary on 30 July 2004, the Kosovo Veterinary Service Kosovo has been reorganized into the Kosovo Veterinary and Food Agency (KVFA). Based on this law, its organizational structure and activities have been approved. With the issuance of the Law on Food which was approved in 2009, KVFA has been reorganized into the Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA). Sanitary and Phytosanitary control have also been added to this Agency.