Bosnia FM accuses Serb politicians of blocking EU funds

"When Staša Košarac boasted that he had arranged the export of meat to Russia, I asked him what meat he planned to export when there is less and less of it in our country? He never answered. BiH imported 381 million marks worth of meat in just seven months this year, and the domestic industry is on the verge of collapse," Konakovic said.

He also said that the European Union offers numerous funds to assist domestic farmers, but that, according to him, the policy leading to these funds is being blocked by the SNSD, the ruling party in the Serb-majority part of Bosnia - Republika Srspka (RS) and its leader Milorad Dodik, as well as Stasa Kosarac.

"They spit on the EU and stop the European path. They would export meat that is not available to Russia - a country to which we annually export only 0.5 percent of our total exports, while we export as much as 73 percent to EU members, and an additional 20 percent to candidate countries. This is how they are destroying farmers throughout BiH, especially in RS," said Konaković.

He added that the SNSD leadership, instead of a solution, offers nationalism and a story of vulnerability.

"We will import more and more meat, small farms will disappear, young people will leave the country. Of course, we will not export meat to Russia. The fear and nationalism spread by various 'Dodiks' and 'Kosaracs' will impoverish the entire country and all citizens - Bosniaks, Serbs, Croats and Others. Solutions exist, but the rich brakemen need to be removed from the scene," said Konakovic.