A delegation from the Office of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, led by Dr Valdet Gjinovci, Chief Veterinary Officer of the Kosovo Food and Veterinary Agency (KFVA), have recently visited Malta for 5 days The KFVA delegation included also the Head of Veterinary Border Inspection, Dr Eroll Shehu, and the Head of Animal Identification & Registration, Mr Sadik Heta.

This visit from Kosovo, which was organised by the European Commission’s DG Enlargement TAIEX, is the second one in two years after another visit in June 2010. The aim of this study visit was to share the experience gained by Malta as a member state of the European Union in areas related to veterinary regulation. The main areas covered were:

(i) the integration of identification and registration of animals;

(ii) the adaptation of animal health programmes;

(iii) import controls at border inspection posts;

(iv) management of meat traceability, abattoir records, meat inspection and meat labelling;

(v) management of the micro-chipping management scheme;

(vi) discussion on local veterinary legislation and adaptation of related EU regulations;

(vii) proposal by the visiting delegation on a bilateral co-operation agreement between the two countries in areas of veterinary interest.

Since the last visit in 2010, the Government of Kosovo has identified Malta as a role model in veterinary regulation systems. The Maltese animal health and welfare legislation has been used as a model for that which has been promulgated in Kosovo.

Furthermore, a number of standard operational procedures are being drafted on the same procedures adapted in Malta.

While in Malta, the group from Kosovo has been working closely with the managers of the Maltese National Livestock Database. The delegation also had the opportunity to experience a number of field visits followed by active workshops with local veterinary officials.

The visit has been very successful and both sides agree that a link has been forged between the relevant departments of the two countries which will be maintained and strengthened. In fact both sides agreed to further the process to establish a bilateral cooperation agreement between the two countries in areas of veterinary interest.

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