In Croatia, there are currently about six thousand active milk producers, and last year the sharp decline in production was halted, while the sector expects measures for the revitalization of cattle breeding, it was emphasized on Wednesday at the opening of the 13th Cattle Breeders’ Consultation.
State Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Željko Kraljičak reminded that regulations have already been adopted to monitor the quality of milk, with the aim of excluding milk that does not meet standards from the market, which should give a chance to domestic producers whose milk, as he said, is among the highest quality in Europe.
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He added that producers can unite to consolidate production, which, combined with additional support that the Ministry plans, should ensure their competitiveness and sustainability of production.
– We see an opportunity to give small producers and family farms a good incentive through additional measures, one of which is the allocation of agricultural land, to decide on livestock production which is demanding, but with good organization has the prerequisites for increasing production and creating added value, said Kraljičak.
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Although an increase in milk production was recorded in the last few months of last year, compared to the same months in 2016, the total milk production last year was about 2 percent lower than in 2016, said the director of the Croatian Agricultural Agency (HPA) Zdravko Barać.
He stated that, along with existing measures from the rural development program, measures are being prepared to encourage the breeding of breeding material, raise the level of production among existing producers, and promote products. He expects that this will result in a reversal of negative trends this year.
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At the two-day consultation, which is expected to host around 200 cattle breeders, two discussions will be held: on improving milk production and meat production, and there will also be 14 presentations on breeding, selection, and feeding.
The conference will also discuss the prospects of Croatian cattle breeding, planned breeding in dairy and meat herds, and economic indicators of cattle production in Croatia.
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Before the consultation, the first “Breakfast from Croatian Farms” of the year was held, and Zdravko Barać stated that this event aims to remind of the importance of the labeling system for agricultural and agri-food products with HPA labels.
– We want to send a message that products labeled in this way have proven origin, with the fact that we have incorporated a number of parameters into the systems that monitor this labeling to track their qualitative properties. This is primarily support for primary agricultural producers, as purchasing these products ensures the future of Croatian agriculture, said Barać.
