Project “EU for Sustainable plant protection in Serbia” presented at the Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad

On Monday, May 18, an expert panel dedicated to the sustainable and safe use of plant protection products was held as part of the 93rd International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad, during which the project “EU for sustainable plant protection in Serbia” was presented. Opening the event, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Prof. Dr. Dragan Glamočić stated that modern agriculture today implies not only good yields, but also responsibility toward people, food safety, and environmental protection.

The Minister emphasized that the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management continuously invests in the education of agricultural producers and in strengthening the system for the safe use of plant protection products, noting that around 60,000 farmers across Serbia have so far completed training for professional users. Special emphasis was also placed on the modernization of the legal framework, technical inspections of equipment used for the application of plant protection products, and the harmonization of the national system with European Union standards.

The panel also featured speeches by Nebojša Milosavljević, Director of the Plant Protection Directorate, and Lidija Ristić Matijević, Head of the Department for Plant Protection Products and Plant Nutrition, who presented current activities and priorities in the field of plant protection in Serbia. Milan Ivić then presented the project on behalf of the “EU for sustainable plant protection in Serbia” project team.

During the presentation, participants had the opportunity to learn about the project’s objectives, key components, and planned activities aimed at improving the system of sustainable plant protection in Serbia, strengthening institutional capacities, and further aligning with European Union standards. An overview of the activities implemented so far was also presented, with a special focus on previous knowledge and recommendations regarding the further development of a comprehensive system for monitoring and promoting the sustainable use of plant protection products. It was especially highlighted that the project contributes to strengthening cooperation between institutions, the professional community, and agricultural producers, with the aim of improving food safety, reducing the risks associated with the improper use of pesticides, and developing sustainable and competitive agriculture in Serbia.

The project “EU for sustainable plant protection in Serbia” is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management.