Slovakia

1) REFERENCES

Commission Opinion [COM(97) 2004 final - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(98) 703 final - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(1999) 511 final - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2000) 711 final - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2001) 700 final - SEC(2001) 1753 - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2002) 700 final - SEC(2002) 1410 - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2003) 675 final - SEC(2003) 1209 - Not published in the Official JournalTreaty of Accession to the European Union [Official Journal L 236 of 23.09.2003]

2) SUMMARY

In its Opinion of July 1997 the European Commission took the view that the alignment of agricultural legislation with the acquis is still a priority in Slovakia, although significant progress had been made in adopting the measures mentioned in the 1995 White Paper on the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the internal market.

Particular efforts were requested in relation to:

• implementing and enforcing veterinary and phytosanitary requirements and upgrading establishments to meet EC standards; this is particularly important for inspection and control arrangements at the EU external borders;
• strengthening administrative structures to ensure the necessary capacity to implement and enforce the policy instruments of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP);
• further substantial restructuring of the agri-food sector to improve its competitiveness.

The Commission concluded that, if progress is made on these fronts, the Common Agricultural Policy should not seriously compromise the prospects of Slovakia's accession to the European Union in the medium term. It asserted also that since the fisheries sector is not very important to the Slovak economy, it does not present a problem for accession.

The November 1998 Report noted that some progress had been accomplished in agriculture, notably concerning the alignment of legislation in the veterinary and phytosanitary area. The structural transformation process had continued, albeit at a slow pace. Further steps had to be taken in order to create the administrative structure needed to implement the future agricultural pre-accession instrument and to ensure the necessary capacity to implement the CAP. In the fisheries sector, by contrast, there had been no significant changes.

The October 1999 Report detailed progress made in agricultural policy but pointed out that institutional and administrative capacities had not been sufficiently strengthened. If the fisheries sector was to adapt, the institutions would need to be strengthened.

According to the November 2000 Report, Slovakia had made little progress in aligning itself with the Community acquis as far as agriculture was concerned. There had been no advance in the fisheries sector.

The November 2001 Report emphasised that there had been little progress made in the agricultural sector except in veterinary matters. Nevertheless, a legislative advance has been noted in the fisheries sector. Slovakia has adopted a law relating to fish and fishery products and has moreover modified its law on agriculture to include structural measures for fisheries.

The October 2002 Report stated that substantial progress has been made by Slovakia in certain agricultural areas, such as veterinary and plant-health matters. It mentioned legislative and institutional efforts in the fisheries sector.

The November 2003 Report demonstrates that Slovakia is on the whole fulfilling all its commitments. In the fisheries sector it is meeting all its commitments apart from a few details.

COMMUNITY ACQUIS

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) aims to maintain and develop a modern agricultural system ensuring a fair standard of living for the agricultural community and a supply of food at reasonable prices for consumers, as well as free movement of goods within the EC.

The Europe Agreement, which provides the legal basis for agricultural trade between Slovakia and the Community, aims to promote co-operation on modernising, restructuring and privatising Slovakia's agriculture sector and agri-food industry and its plant health standards. The White Paper on the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the internal market covers legislation in the fields of veterinary, plant health and animal nutrition controls, as well as marketing requirements for individual commodities. The purpose of such legislation is to protect consumers, public health and the health of animals and plants.

The Common Fisheries Policy includes common market organisations, structural policy, agreements with third countries, management and conservation of fish resources and scientific research in support of these activities.

The Europe Agreement includes provisions concerning trade in fishery products with the Community. The White Paper does not contain any measures in this field.

EVALUATION

Agriculture

Slovakia is, on the whole, fulfilling its commitments. Some efforts are required in order to establish trade mechanisms and introduce common market organisations, as well as in the veterinary sector. The system of veterinary controls on the domestic market, the arrangements for combating transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), the rules on animal by-products and common measures have not been adapted. In addition, the establishment of the paying agency, the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) and public health protection require special measures to be implemented since Slovakia has little chance of being ready for accession in those areas.

Fisheries

Slovakia has not concluded any international fisheries agreements. However, it is, on the whole, fulfilling its commitments. It still needs to strengthen its administrative capacity and complete its legal framework.

Last updated: 27.02.2004