TIRANA, June 16 /ATA/ – Albania’s parliamentary Committee on European Affairs and Foreign Policy on Tuesday approved a draft law aimed at strengthening official controls across the food and agri-food supply chain, as part of the country’s efforts to align its legislation with European Union standards.
The proposed legislation seeks to enhance food safety, protect public health, improve animal health and welfare standards, strengthen plant protection measures and support Albania’s EU accession process.
Presenting the bill, Deputy Agriculture Minister Arjan Jaupllari said the reform would establish a more coherent and effective system of official controls by clearly defining institutional responsibilities and reducing overlaps among inspection authorities.
A key feature of the legislation is the introduction of a risk-based inspection model, bringing Albania’s control system closer to EU practices. Under the new framework, inspections would be prioritised according to the level of risk posed by individual operators and businesses, allowing authorities to use resources more efficiently while reducing administrative burdens.
The draft law also introduces clearer procedures for laboratory sampling and testing, aimed at improving transparency and reliability in the control process, while strengthening border inspections for imported food products, plants and animals.
Jaupllari said the measures would help ensure that imported goods meet EU safety and quality standards, while also supporting Albanian producers seeking greater access to European markets.
Lawmakers said the proposal represents an important step in aligning Albania’s food safety framework with the EU acquis, a key requirement in the country’s accession negotiations.
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