Following the reported cases of salmonella and pesticides in the country, Sali Berisha has announced food safety sector reform as one of the main priorities of the Democratic Party. At a meeting on food safety, he described this area as essential for the country's national security, promising to create a new Food Safety Agency with full executive powers, independent of political influence and with direct support from the highest state structures.
"This should be a central sector in the field of national security. So, not only should food security be a matter of national security, but it should also be a central sector. And when I say this, this sector, which is actually multidisciplinary, should have all the support and funding, all the transformation. You said that doctors are not paid. If they are left without veterinarians, who will perform their duties? So, we must take this sector to the core. Several institutions have been created. First, the central one will be the food security institution, the agency. This agency will have all the executive powers. That he resigned, that he said he had no powers. Whether he had powers or not, I cannot say, but keeping the central institution without powers is irresponsible. Therefore, this institution must gain all the executive power to fulfill its duty. This institution must get out of any politicization. The subordination may be to the prime minister, to the parliament, but this is a central institution for the state and for the nation."
Another key point, according to Berisha, is the modernization of state laboratories. He promised that these laboratories will be the most advanced in the region, while the budget for food safety will be doubled or tripled.
"His laboratories should be the most modern laboratories. And I guarantee you that we will double or triple the budget in this area. Yes, there is nothing more serious. Food safety, drug safety. You said it, I completely agree that the law stipulates that no product that is not sold in two EU countries and that has agricultural use should enter Albania. No. I am not saying that the rest of the world is unsafe, but Europe is safer. I follow them and it is concluded that Europe is safer in this respect. It is more expensive, but it is worth it. This is for safety. Therefore and in addition to this, we are certainly for market liberalization, but state laboratories of direct official responsibility will be equipped and it will not happen...".
He also supported the proposal that no agricultural product that is not sold in at least two European Union countries should be allowed to enter the Albanian market, describing the EU as the safest model for food standards.
Berisha criticized current policies that, according to him, have led to the forced privatization of vital services for citizens, emphasizing that the state must guarantee quality and responsible public services.
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