02 February 2019 - The Laboratory for milk and dairy products, located at the Biotechnical Faculty in Podgorica, is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and will be one of the important segments in improving the raw milk quality in Montenegro.
Procuring equipment worth 400,000 EUR was supported by the EU pre-accession funds through the Project "Support to the veterinary sector". The beginning of work of the new equipment was marked by today's visit to the Laboratory by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Milutin Simović and EU Ambassador to Montenegro Aivo Orav.
DPM Simović expressed satisfaction with the implementation of another joint and valuable project that will contribute to the further achievement of EU standards, specifically the European quality of milk, which will bring benefits to Montenegrin farmers, processors and consumers.
"I am glad that we are together at the Biotechnical Faculty today. Together – our European partners, the Government of Montenegro and the University of Montenegro. I express my gratitude to the European Commission for its significant support for the purchase of new equipment. Modern equipment will further strengthen the technical capacities of the laboratory, the analysis of samples will be more precise and reliable for both farmers and dairies, and consumers will be provided with safer and more quality dairy products," DPM Simović said.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that numerous support measures will be provided in this year's Agro Budget, adding that particularly significant support is non-refundable support to primary production and processing through the implementation of a large IPARD.
"I am sure that together, with valuable and responsible work, we will achieve the set goal and we will achieve European quality standards for milk for the benefit of both farmers and processors and consumers," DPM Simović said.
EU Ambassador to Montenegro Aivo Orav said that the Laboratory represents the latest technology for analysing raw milk and fully meets the standards required by the European Union.
"I am glad to say that with this equipment, the Montenegrin milk laboratory does not differ from any laboratory of its kind in the EU member states," the Ambassador stressed.
He said that the analysis of the quality of raw milk is necessary in order to ensure that farmers produce the best quality milk, from which high quality dairy products will be produced. He added that analyses are important to exclude risks to human health, but also to ensure the health and well-being of animals.
Ambassador Orav said that the EU is Montenegro's most important partner when it comes to reforming the veterinary sector. He reminded that today's donation is part of the EU's greater support to the Montenegrin veterinary sector, with a total value of 2.3 million EUR.
"In addition to joint efforts to improve the quality of raw milk, we support Montenegro to reach EU standards related to veterinary control systems, animal health and welfare, eradicating the rabies and improving the control of stray and abandoned dogs," Ambassador Orav highlighted.
