EU and International Relations

European Union Membership

Following accession to the European Union (EU) on 1 May 2004 Lithuania has been striving to consolidate its membership in the EU. To contribute to the goal the State Food and Veterinary Service has been working towards assurance of the basic supervision principles of the EU market with a priority on food safety, safeguarding the consumers' rights and assurance of the free from contagious diseases status of the country in accordance with the EU and international requirements. The performance quality of the institutions directly related to the activities of the State Food and Veterinary Service and their ability to draft the positions and take an active part in the adoption process of the EU Acquis and in shaping the EU vision are primarily responsible for the protection of the national interests in animal health, welfare, and food safety. Thus the representatives of the State Food and Veterinary Service delegated the function of representing the interests of the Republic of Lithuania in the working parties of the EU institutions must ensure an active and fruitful representation of the national interests in the EU and in preparation for the Presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2013.

The employees of the SFVS participate in the work of 48 committees and working groups of the Council and the European Commission and also of the agencies of the European Communities: the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
During the period of January – May 2011, 96 meetings of the working groups and committees of the EU Council and the European Commission were held.
In 2010, 214 meetings of the working groups and committees of the EU Council and the European Commission within the remit of the SFVS were held.
In 2009, 220 meetings of the working groups and committees of the EU Council and the European Commission within the remit of the SFVS were held.

International Organisations

Apart from membership in different institutions and agencies of the EU, the SFVS is a member of other international organisations.
Since 1993 Lithuania has served on the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease of the International Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Currently the Chief Veterinary Officers of 37 European countries are members of the Commission.
Back in 1932 Lithuania became a member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the task of which is to organise and coordinate the scientifically based control ways and prevention measures of contagious animal diseases with an aim of eradicating the diseases through the joint efforts of many nations. In 1992 Lithuania’s membership at the World Organisation for Animal Health was reinstated. At present, the organisation incorporates official veterinary services of 178 countries of the world.

Collaboration with Third Countries

Lithuania has been successfully exporting products of animal origin to the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and other countries of the world. However, third countries raise very high veterinary requirements for certain products and at present negotiations on the export of certain products are held with several countries.

Argentina
In 2011, the SFVS submitted an application on authorisation of imports of fishery products to Argentina. Currently coordination of the veterinary certificate for export of the products is underway.

Australia
In 2011 a questionnaire on BSE was submitted to the Food Safety Assessment Committee of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand with an aim to preserve an opportunity of export of beef and beef products to Australia. At present, the Food Standards Australia New Zealand is making an evaluation of the submitted materials and envisages a visit to Lithuania for inspection in September 2012.

Brazil
In 2010 the SFVS completed a questionnaire on control of fishery products presented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Brazil. In 2011 the SFVS forwarded a completed consolidated questionnaire on fisheries products to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Brazil with a copy to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Currently the evaluation on equivalence for the export of fishery products to Brazil is taking place.

In 2011 the SFVS sent a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Brazil on the approval of the vessel “Margiris” for export of frozen fishery products to Brazil. Brazil has granted, on an exceptional basis, a temporary approval for supply on the Brazilian market of frozen Baltic sardines caught by the vessel.

In 2011 the SFVS sent a completed questionnaire on dairy products to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Brazil.

Chile
In 2011 the SFVS submitted an application for authorisation of export of fishery products to Chile.

United States of America
In 2011 the SFVS presented the completed Self-Assessment for Initial Equivalence for Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products questionnaires to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service). At present the FSIS is making an assessment of the information supplied by the SFVS.

China
In 2011 the SFVS presented to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China a completed questionnaire on the approval of the Republic of Lithuania for export of milk and milk products to China. At present Chinese authorities are making an evaluation of the information supplied by Lithuania.
In 2011 an additional application was dispatched for starting the authorisation procedure on export of meat and meat products, fish and fish products, bovine and porcine semen to China.
Furthermore, the SFVS has submitted to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China a completed questionnaire on the approval of the Republic of Lithuania for export of pork products to China.

Singapore
In 2011 a questionnaire was submitted to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore on the export of milk and milk products and of meat and meat products to Singapore. On 21 June 2011 a response was received to confirm that export of milk and milk products has been authorised subject to relevant veterinary certificates and presence of a licensed importer in Singapore. Furthermore, Lithuania was requested to provide additional information for export of meat and meat products. The materials requested have been provided and are currently under evaluation by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore.

Uruguay
In 2011 the SFVS submitted an application for authorisation of export of fishery products to Uruguay.

Viet Nam
In 2011 completed questionnaires for export of poultrymeat and fishery products were submitted to the competent authority of Viet Nam. At present an analysis of the materials submitted by the SFVS is being made.

The Customs Union (Russian Federation, Republic of Belarus and Republic of Kazakhstan)
Following the specimen Memorandum agreed by the competent authorities of the EU and RF the State Food and Veterinary Service has signed the Memorandums with the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation which are available at http://ec.europa.eu/food/international/trade/sps_requirements_en.htm.
Since 2004 export from the Republic of Lithuania to the Russian Federation has only been authorised for the establishments that appear on the lists approved by the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation. The lists are available at http://www.fsvps.ru/fsvps/importExport/litva.
Since July 2010, after the uniform requirements of the Customs Union countries were enforced, only the Lithuanian establishments appearing on the Register of Organisations and Persons authorised for manufacture, processing and/or storage of controlled commodities imported into the territory of the Customs Union are permitted to export to Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. The Register is available at http://www.tsouz.ru/db/techregulation/vetmeri/Pages/Reestrorg.aspx.
The businesses authorised to export live animals and products to the Customs Union must implement the legal requirements both of the EU and the importing country (i.e. the Customs Union). The legislation of the Customs Union is available at http://www.tsouz.ru/Pages/Default.aspx.