Skopje, 11 November 2023 (MIA) - North Macedonia remains moderately prepared in the area of agriculture and rural development, notes the European Commission (EC) in its latest report on the country's progress. 

According to the EC, some progress was made during the reporting period, notably with the preparation of the 2021 2027 action plan for the national strategy for agriculture and rural development, including budgeting for support measures under the 2023-2027 national programme for the development of agriculture.

The report notes that North Macedonia has a good level of preparation in the areas of food safety, and veterinary and phytosanitary policy. 

Some progress was also made in the area of fisheries and aquaculture. 

The EC notes that some of last year's recommendations were not met, and therefore remain valid. Thus, North Macedonia should ensure transfer of the farm register and the land parcel identification system (LPIS) to the paying agency, adopt a legislative framework to further align with the EU acquis on areas such as support payments, common market organisation and farm advisory services, and improve the administrative capacity in the instrument for pre-accession assistance for rural development (IPARD) operating structures to ensure robust implementation of the IPARD III programme.

"Little progress was made on further aligning with the common market organisation (CMO). Legislation in this area remains to be adopted. On rural development, good progress was made in absorbing EU funds under IPARD II. By the end of 2022, payments to recipients reached around EUR 42 million. It is critical that the IPARD authorities improve the disbursement of funds in 2023 to avoid the decommitment of the remaining IPARD II funds and to support the thorough implementation of the IPARD III funds for which entrustment was granted by the European Commission Overall, the capacity and staff retention of the IPARD authorities needs to be strengthened. No significant progress has been made in aligning national rural development policy with the EU acquis. On quality policy, progress in implementing quality schemes has been limited but 2023 saw some developments in the registration process for a number of products. The legislative framework, including on spirit drinks remains to be fully aligned with the EU acquis," reads the report. 

The Commission notes that North Macedonia continued a policy of complex coupled schemes of direct support to farmers, and recommends that the country needs to align its national support measures to the EU acquis. 

As regards organic farming, the legislation, competent authority, control bodies, and accreditation and certification system are in place. A new law on organics further aligning with EU acquis remains to be adopted and actions to enhance the monitoring and control of organic certification and traceability of organic products can be intensified. Efforts should be made to further develop the sector, making use of the support available under the IPARD III programme. 

Photo: MIA archive