The Inspectorate of the Municipality of Pristina, in cooperation with the Kosovo Police and the Food and Veterinary Agency (AVVK), has undertaken a wide-ranging action since the early hours of the morning to remove street vendors from public spaces at the vehicle market held every Sunday, fining 15 illegal vendors selling poultry and small livestock.
AUVK, together with the directorate of the Inspectorate of the Municipality of Pristina, have considered such an action a serious risk to public health, where illegal sellers brutally slaughter birds and sell them in that way.
The Director of the Inspectorate, Bekim Brestovci, said that this part of the public space is not intended for such sales, where various infections could have been spread.
Brestovci has announced that from today, this space will not in any way be intended for a market as it has been every Sunday.
"The capital's inspection is working with an operational plan to eliminate some negative phenomena that we have in the capital. One of them is of course the use of this public space, otherwise known as the road behind the car market. It is a road, a public space that is in no way intended for such sales. We also had a very catastrophic situation, because in addition to the sale of poultry and small livestock, their slaughter was also carried out here at the same time, which of course led to a very bad appearance, as well as a phenomenon that could have also spread various infections," said Brestovci.
He added that from now on, this space in no form, in no way, and in no period of time will be destined for a market, as it has been used until now.
"These should be addressed to the municipality, it is the Directorate of Public Services, then the competent directorate which deals with the designation and provision of public spaces for use," he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Inspector of the Inspectorate, Alban Ymeri, said that 15 fines totaling 100 euros have been imposed for those who have disregarded the inspectors' orders.
Ymeri announced that the action will continue until the illegal sellers become aware.
"We have completely inspected the areas around the market, where all vendors who have attempted to sell illegally have left. Punitive measures have also been taken against them in accordance with the regulations and laws in force. The action is continuing, until all illegal vendors are made aware. Somewhere around 15 fines have been imposed so far by our inspectorate. Most have welcomed our decision and have started to leave, while those who have not heeded the inspectors' orders have been fined 100 euros for each one caught trading illegally," said Ymeri.
On behalf of the KVFA, the head of the information office, Muharrem Shahini, added that the purchase of poultry by citizens in this way is harmful to health, uncontrolled and unhygienic.
Shahini emphasized that this action will not only apply to the Municipality of Pristina but to all municipalities in the country.
"In the most brutal way I can say, they are slaughtered, sold, mistreated in this part of the city of Pristina. On this occasion, we have also taken this, this decision. As an agency and as an institution that cares for the health of Kosovo citizens regarding the consumption of food, meat and all other foods, then we have also concluded that it is harmful to health. At the same time, they are uncontrolled, the way they are slaughtered, the way they are treated is not only brutal but also unhygienic," added Shahini.
Shahini added that selling meat or other foods in an open environment is prohibited.
"This does not only apply to the municipality of Pristina, this action will be expanded to other municipalities and citizens will absolutely not be allowed to consume food in such markets," he said.
The illegal vendors, who had come from different municipalities in Kosovo, did not agree to not being allowed to sell their products.
The same people, as a sign of protest, stood on the street, in front of the Kosovo Police.
Otherwise, according to Brestovc, for granting the use of public spaces, illegal vendors should contact the Directorate of Public Services.
