The reaction of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development to VV chairman Albin Kurti's statements

 The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development reacts to the Vetevendosje Movement Chairman's statement, Mr. Albin Kurti, who during yesterday's day at a rally with the citizens of the Cline municipality, had pressed charges against UKPHR Secretary General Mr. Captain Halimi and Chief Executive of the Agriculture Development Agency, Mr. Ekrem Gjokaj, in which the declaration was very inaccuracies and untruths, thus misinforming the general public on charges against two MBPHR and ZZB officials.

In order to inform the citizens correctly, The MBPHR explains that support from the agriculture sector is implemented under two programmes, the Rural Development Programme and the Programme for Direct-Subventation Payers, which is drafted based on the Agriculture and Rural Development Law of 03L-098, and the completion of the Education and Development Law Change 04/ L-090 and administrative guidelines.

The whole process of supporting farmers in the framework of these programmes, from the announcements of calls, as well as the assessment of all grant and subsidies applications is made based on documentation, procedures and pre-procedure programme criteria, which are published annually on the ministry's page and Agriculture Development Agency (AZHB). Likewise, the AZHB informs farmers about the results of the process through text and e-mail decisions, as well as through the AZHB website.

In order to inform the citizens correctly, The MBPZHR reports that recent years have also dropped the number of complaints by UKPZHR and AZHB farmers regarding the process of profiting subsidies. In 2017 a total of 318 farmers had complained, and in 2018, 186 farmers complained.

We also explain the public opinion that the MBPHR is open all the time in the service of farmers and other parties of interest, including civil society, where this has been witnessed last year where the beginning of the process of grant apps assessment, the Agency for Agriculture Development has made live before the media and civil society, which has not been done before.

In addition, all profit lists of investment subsidies and grants annually become public on the Ministry's website and AZHB's, on which the lists have access to all citizens of the Republic of Kosovo.

The MBPZHR remains committed to increasing transparency in order to inform the public and like the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, we appeal to Mr. Kurti, but also farmers and other citizens, whether they have any displeasure or face incorrigibly addressing the justice organs in the Republic of Kosovo.