The Law on Veterinary Activities of the Republic of Lithuania (1991) regulates veterinary activities in accordance with international and European Union requirements, defines the forms and specificities of veterinary regulation, and sets mandatory veterinary hygiene requirements. It also establishes the fundamentals of state veterinary control and supervision. According to Article 3(3) of this law, the task of veterinary services is “to ensure that animal products and raw materials used for food consumption or processing comply with safety and quality requirements established by law.” The Law on Drinking Water of the Republic of Lithuania (2001) establishes the requirements for ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water, its monitoring, the application of safety exceptions, as well as state supervision over water quality and safety. It also regulates the requirements for materials and articles in contact with drinking water and outlines the responsibilities of state and municipal institutions, drinking water and wastewater suppliers, public and regional suppliers, guaranteed water suppliers, and economic entities that extract and use drinking water for business purposes but are not suppliers. The Law on Advertising of the Republic of Lithuania (2000) aims to improve consumer information about goods and services, protect consumer rights and legitimate interests, safeguard fair competition, promote self-regulation in advertising, and create favourable conditions for the development of advertising activities. III. COMPETENCE OF STATE ADMINISTRATION INSTITUTIONS AND PUBLIC CONSUMER RIGHTS PROTECTION ORGANIZATIONS Articles 8 and 9 of the Law on Food of the Republic of Lithuania define the competence of state institutions related to food safety and the requirements for its assurance. The main institutions and their respective competencies are outlined as follows: The Government of the Republic of Lithuania - in implementing a state policy favourable to public health in the field of food safety, the Government prepares and approves the national strategy for food safety, quality, and the improvement of public nutrition. It also performs other functions related to food safety and control as regulated by laws and other legal acts. Ministry of Health - within its competence, the Ministry develops state policy in the areas of food safety and the prevention of food- and nutrition-related diseases and coordinates its implementation. It regulates, within its competence, 662 JOLANTA VILKEVIČIŪTĖ
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