1000 CITIZENS 20 QUESTIONS 2013 JULY A large part of EU funds for agriculture require a state coordination; in its absence, EU funds cannot be accessed by BIH and consequently farmers and rural communities lose the opportunity to directly access hundreds millions of Euros. The country lacks a single economic space with unified trade regulations throughout the country, which makes it more difficult for farmers to sell their products to foreign markets. Procedures for the allocation of subsidies from local budgets are not transparent and open a lot of space for corruption and nepotism. (Green Council NGO) AGRICULTURE The current BIH constitution grants competencies for agriculture to BIH’s Entities the Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzergovina. Inter-entity coordination is limited, with little support from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations (MOFTER). 97.2% it is important to address the agriculture sector in state-level constitutional reform OF CITIZENS THINK 92.3% 96.7% 98.1% 97.5% BRCKO RS SERB FBIH CROAT FBIH BOSNIAK Ineffective coordination at the state-level is making There has been no progress towards establishing a State-level Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. (EU Progress Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina 2010) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 On 10 September 2013 the Commission had to cancel two agriculture projects worth €5 million due to the failure of the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to agree on the structures to channel EU agriculture and rural development assistance (IPARD). (EU Progress Report for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2013). 2009 LOSE FARMERS AGRICULTURE SHOULD BE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF WHICH LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT? STATE 64.6% ENTITY 17.7% MUNICIPALITY 8% CANTON 7.3% CITIZENS’ OPINIONS ON STATE-LEVEL CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM in Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 20 40 60 80 100 FBIH BOSNIAK MAJORITY FBIH CROAT MAJORITY RS SERB MAJORITY BRCKO 71.4% 64.6% 48.8% 84.8% 0 20 40 60 80 100 13.8% 41.8% 15.2% FBIH BOSNIAK MAJORITY FBIH CROAT MAJORITY RS SERB MAJORITY BRCKO 4.3% STATE ENTITY A strategy of ignoring the need for state-level engagement in this sector has clearly not worked. If Bosnia's rural population is to benefit from the support available, the country needs efficient and coherent management structures, that are accountable.