The Republic Phytosanitary Inspection Service banned the import of two deliveries of corn seed because the aforementioned did not fulfil the regulated quality norms, as well as two deliveries of seedlings due to the presence of quarantine harmful organisms.

At the start of the harvest season, it is established practice of the Phytosanitary Inspection Service to give special attention to the investigation of the quality of agricultural plant seeds, seedlings, fertilizer and other agricultural and raw materials. Taking into the consideration that the quality of seed is the main factor that directly determines health of the crop, potential of the yield and ultimately economic profitability of agricultural production, the goal of the Agricultural and Phytosanitary Inspection Services is to secure quality and safe seed of agricultural plants in the Republic of Srpska market.

177 samples were taken for the purposes of lab analysis by the Republic Phytosanitary Inspection Service during the imports of seeds and seedlings this year. Four deliveries were denied entry after performed analysis because they did not meet regulated conditions. It is important to highlight that sampled deliveries remain under supervision until the results of analysis are obtained, which prevents seeds and seedlings that are not aligned with regulated requirements to appear on the market.

Also, a surveillance of agricultural pharmacies in the Republic of Srpska was conducted with the aim to control the agricultural plant seeds on the market. Special attention is given to the declarations and marking of appropriate tags which are meant to be a confirmation of origin and quality of seeds in the trade flow.  The total of 257 controls have been conducted, out of which 69 had confirmed irregularities mainly due to inadequate marking of seeds. On that basis 113 metric tons of agricultural plant seeds temporarily have been removed from the market until the removal of irregularities.

Taking into consideration the measures which the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry has been undertaking to aid domestic producers, the Agricultural and Phytosanitary Inspection Services via their actions also have strived to give strong support to domestic agricultural production.

With all this in mind we can say that the seed market in the Republic of Srpska is fully under the control of the inspection service.