Fewer and fewer protected products from Serbia: Excessive administrative procedures

The number of products with protected geographical origin in Serbia is drastically decreasing. Of the 47 certified labels on agricultural-food products, only 19 are being used legally, RTS reports.

Representatives of the Association „Original Srbija“ say that the reasons for this are low state subsidies, unclear regulations and unfair competition that no one sanctions.

Production of food with protected geographical origin represents a possibility for farmers to earn more, state to receive a brand and consumer to eat fine food. Among the most famous are cabbage produced in Futog, raspberry produced in Arilje, “Kacerski med” and ajvar (paprika chutney) produced in Leskovac.

Even though the favourite winter product from southern part of Serbia protected its name worldwide as well, it is only being produced on six households, on 16 more as of 2011.

„Euphoria was initially quite big, but years are passing and I’m not certain, we are fewer in numbers in the association. We battle with unfair competition. I agree that people need to earn money, I have nothing against it, but we need help from state to put this unfair competition in some sort of legal proceedings,” Stevica Markovic of the Association “Leskovacki ajvar” says.

Goran Puaca from the Association “Original Srbija” states that not a single reported case of malfeasances has been prosecuted in recent years.

Izvor: RTS

Foto: printscreen RTS