CONTEXT
Serbia
is gradually aligning its agriculture and environmental protection systems with
European Union standards, including policies under the EU Green Deal, the “Farm
to Fork” Strategy and Chapter 12.
In
practical terms, this means improving the way plant protection products are
managed and controlled, from their registration and sale to their use in the
field and waste management. Although Serbia already has a legal framework in
place, further improvements are needed to fully meet EU requirements and
support more sustainable agricultural practices.
For
consumers, this means safer food on the table, better protection of public
health and a cleaner environment. For producers, it means clearer rules,
stronger professional support and better opportunities to compete both
domestically and on export markets.
Strengthening
national monitoring systems, advisory services, digital databases and
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) contributes to safe and effective plant
protection, reduces risks to human health and the environment, and supports the
long-term sustainability of agriculture.
Project aims to address critical issues in
pesticide management, with the aim of enhancing agrifood system transformation,
ensuring food safety, and protecting the environment and public health, through
aligning Serbia's agriculture and rural development policies with the EU's
Common Agricultural Policy and Green Deal objectives, specifically focusing on
pesticide regulation and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
PROJECT SCOPE
Project
“EU for sustainable plant protection in Serbia” focuses on strengthening the
implementation of national legislation in pesticide management, improving
national systems for pesticide registration and monitoring, building
professional capacities at different levels and raising public awareness about
the risks of improper pesticide use and the availability of environmentally
friendly alternatives.
In other words, the project helps the system work better in practice — ensuring that farmers have reliable information and support, institutions carry out effective oversight, and citizens can have greater confidence in the safety of the food they consume.
Expected results:
- Mechanisms,
tools and instruments established for enhancing/reinforcing legal framework on
lifecycle management of pesticides.
- National
capacities strengthened at various levels including policymakers, professional
users and farmers to enhance lifecycle management of pesticides and IPM.
- Pesticide
risk communication strategy implemented for improved awareness of relevant
stakeholders on risks related to the use of pesticides and its impact to health
and environment.