Responding to the statement by Croatian Agriculture Minister Tihomir Jakovina, who described such decision by the Bosnian authorities as ill-advised, Sarovic was quoted by the Dnevni Avaz daily on Friday as saying that the decision banning meat imports from some Croatian slaughterhouses was not unusual.

"It's a logical sequence of events after Croatia's accession to the EU. Just as Bosnian exports are subject to certain restrictions as of July 1 because exports to EU countries need to comply with EU standards, so Croatian companies too must harmonise their operations with EU regulations and standards," Sarovic said.

The minister noted that Croatia was no longer a party to the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and that its products were no longer subject to standards applicable to CEFTA members. He stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina had its own regulations which Croatia had to observe and that it was obliged to protect domestic producers.

Commenting on Jakovina's announcement that he would inform the European Commission of the matter, Sarovic said he had nothing against it. "Let them speak to the European Commission because we have already notified it," he said.

According to available information, over 50 Croatian meat companies have been banned from exporting their products to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their exact number should be announced early next week.