"EU Regional action on animal disease eradication
in the Western Balkans ADEWB 2”

Capacity Building of Veterinary and Plant Services
in the Western Balkans - Lot 1 - Animal Health

EU provides financial assistance to Western Balkan (WB) countries to support their EU integration process, channelled through the instrumental for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA). This project will support the beneficiary countries to improve the capacities of the national systems and harmonize the EU legislation on national level. Results of this project shall ensure that the beneficiary countries become part of the EU internal market with as few barriers as possible in the near future. The project started in July 2022 and will last until July 2025.

In animal and public health, much depends on the performance of the competent veterinary authority. By investing in building and improving the capabilities of the competent authorities in the Western Balkans we have a more sustainable footing for ensuring a favourable animal health status for the whole region over the long term. In addition, some transboundary animal diseases occur in the interface between humans, animals and environment (like avian influenza). The action will also enable the Western Balkans to become familiar and implement the One Health approach, in line with the EU's acquis and best practices in this field.

The European Commission aims to facilitate the progressive alignment of the animal health status, the priorities for disease control intervention and the disease preparedness of the Western Balkans to the higher EU standards. It will contribute to achieving the eradication of official disease freedom of the Western Balkan region. This will protect the EU and ensure a proper functioning of the internal market from the moment the Western Balkans are ready to join the EU. Once they are an EU Member State, they will be able to trade in the internal market without restrictions linked to their animal health status.