The EU Ambassador to Montenegro, Aivo Orav, in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Milutin Simovic, presented the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Montenegro with modern laboratory equipment for raw milk quality control.
The procurement of the equipment worth €400.000 was supported by the EU from the pre-accession funds through the project “Supporting the veterinary sector.” The most modern laboratory equipment for raw milk quality control, located at the Biotechnical Faculty in Podgorica, will be one of the most important segments for improving the quality of raw milk in Montenegro and the provision of EU standards in the field.
The EU Ambassador to Montenegro, Aivo Orav, expressed his satisfaction at marking the beginning of work of the Laboratory with new equipment, which, as he said, represents the latest technology for analysing raw milk and fully meets the standards required by the European Union. 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 the analysis is important to exclude risks to human health, but also ensure the health and well-being of animals.
Ambassador Orav stated that the EU is Montenegro’s biggest partner when it comes to reforms in the veterinary sector. Donating modern laboratory equipment for raw milk quality control is part of a larger EU support to the veterinary sector of Montenegro, worth €2.3 million in total.
“In parallel to our joint efforts with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to improve udder health and raw milk quality, we also support Montenegro in reaching EU standards related to veterinary control systems, animal health and welfare, eradication of rabies and improving the stray and abandoned dogs population control ,” stated Ambassador Orav.
The Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Milutin Simovic, expressed satisfaction that another joint and valuable project was implemented which will contribute to achieving EU standards even further.
“I express my gratitude to the European Commission for providing significant support for the procurement 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 milk companies, and consumers will be provided with safer and more quality milk products,” said Minister Simovic.
Representatives of the Montenegrin University– Chairman of the Management Board prof. Dr Dusko Bjelica, the Vice-rector prof. Dr. Natasa Kostic, the Dean of Biotechnical Faculty Dr. Miomir Jovanovic – emphasised the importance of improving laboratory capacities for the activities of this education institution and the improvement of human resources.