The Food and Veterinary Agency announced on Thursday that through inspections at a company that processes milk and produces dairy products, it found non-compliance with the legislation in force after verifying documentation, physically inspecting the facility, and inspecting the lines. The agency did not name the businesses, but Agriculture Minister Armend Muja said that inspections were conducted today at the company "Vita". The company has temporarily closed the factory, saying it will no longer accept milk from farmers.
In a statement issued by the AUV on Thursday evening, it was stated that milk samples were taken and sent for laboratory analysis.
"Based on the verification of documentation, physical inspection of the facility and inspection of production lines, non-compliance with the legislation in force has been found. It has been evidenced that the operator carries out milk processing activities based on the relevant authorization, while lines for the production of products of animal origin and milk-based products have also been installed in the facility, using powdered milk, palm oil and other auxiliary materials. Also, the entity has significant quantities of raw materials and products, including UHT milk, powdered milk, milk protein, milk whey and palm oil. It has also been found that the entity does not possess a special authorization for the production and processing of products based on vegetable fats and milk proteins for the purposes declared on the labeling, while some elements of the process require further assessment by the competent authorities," the AUVA statement states.
This agency has said that it has not taken any measures to close the entity. It has been said that the assessment and findings will be made after receiving the laboratory results.
"After the completion of the inspection procedure, the entity has been left with the decision to respect and implement the requirements of the legislation in force, including the instructions of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development for the production and marketing of food products. The FVA reiterates that the protection of public health and food safety remain an institutional priority, while every operator is obliged to act in accordance with the law. The laboratory results and further procedures will determine the final actions of the competent authorities," the announcement states.
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Previously, the Minister of Agriculture, Armend Muja, stated that "food safety requires equal implementation of the law for all."
"Our citizens should know what they eat and drink and what they pay for. The controls that the Food and Veterinary Agency (AUV) is conducting in the milk and dairy products sector are part of its regular legal mandate to supervise the implementation of the Food Law and food safety standards. The same is true today in the 'Vita' company. These actions are carried out to verify compliance with production protocols, the degree of implementation of legal norms, licenses and authorizations, as well as the compliance of economic operators with legal requirements. The sole purpose of these controls is to protect the public interest. They serve to guarantee food safety, protect consumers and ensure fair conditions for producers and processors who respect the law", said Muja, adding that food control builds trust in consumers, protects local production and strengthens competition in the market.
"No one can be above the law," he added.
Meanwhile, after the inspections, the general director of "Vita", Artan Spahija, announced the closure of the dairy.
"From today we will not accept milk. From today we will close the factory until the next decision," he told staff and the media. "The decision is until they come out with a decision publicly and with results and everything."
Spahija has accused the institutions of "loving those in Bosnia and Macedonia more."
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After this, there was also a reaction from the Municipality of Istog. In a statement from this municipality, it was stated that the closure of this dairy is a serious blow to the economy.
"This action has caused great concern in the Municipality of Istog, directly affecting local farmers, hundreds of workers and the entire milk production chain. Vita is one of the largest dairy companies in Kosovo and the main partner of many farmers in our municipality. Any interruption of its operation brings immediate economic consequences for families who live from the production and collection of milk," the reaction states.
Mayor Ilir Ferati has requested the opening of the dairy, calling for transparency.
Political actors have also reacted to this inspection, while farmers were seen protesting in Istog.
The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Ardian Gjini, accused the institutions, saying that "it was proven once again that this government sees the local producer as an enemy."
"The closure of the largest dairy in the country, Vita, left hundreds of workers unemployed and thousands of Kosovar farmers at a crossroads. It is absurd and painful to see how a local producer is forcibly removed from the shelves of our markets, thus leaving space and free ground for products originating from Serbia. The justification for quality control is even more serious, because food control should be carried out continuously and not once every 6 years for political purposes. When the state behaves destructively towards its own producers, the table of every citizen suffers the consequences. This destructive mentality is choking our economy. Institutions must immediately clarify this case and find a solution so that work can resume as soon as possible. Full support for all affected families," he wrote on Facebook.
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The elected MP of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Arben Mustafa, said that this inspection is leading to the closure of local producers.
"Today's repression against the Vita dairy shows the war that this government is waging against the private sector and local producers! And then we ask why there is no investment in Kosovo. There can be neither domestic nor foreign investment in a country where the government is hostile to the private sector. With this approach, it is clearly seen that Albin Kurti's government does not aim for economic development and the creation of conditions for a dignified life in Kosovo. On the contrary, it is building an economic model where citizens become increasingly dependent on government aid, instead of creating conditions for work, production and investment," he wrote on Facebook.
