Summary of newsmakers from the previous day 6. 4. 2005

Government approved subvention for organic petroleum

After more than a year, motorists will have again an opportunity to pump the organic petroleum at petrol stations. After several previous postponements, the government has finally approved the support of production of this fuel at their meeting. It has been confirmed by Dana Večeřová from the state secretary department of the Ministry of Agriculture CZ, adding that the organic petroleum will be subsidied only this year. According to the announcement of refineries, rape oil methylesther (so called MERO) is to be mixed up with the usual petroleum from the next year onwards.

Agrarian export in February 2005 increased compared to the last year

The agrarian export in February 2005 in comparison to February 2004 climbed by 34 per cent. It has been released today by the press department of the Ministry of Agriculture. On the other hand, the agrarian import at the same period increased by only 22 per cent. Import coverage by export grew from 65.1 per cent in 2004 to 71.74 per cent in 2005. Thus, the total trade balance ended up with a negative remainder of 2.09 milliard CZK. The Czech Republic exported 84.3 per cent of the total volume of export to the EU countries and imported 80.9 per cent of the total import volume from the EU countries.

Food producers consider a demonstration in front of the seat of the Czech government

Having excluded food companies from the Operational programme of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, whose aim is to enhance the competitiveness of Czech industrial firms, is regarded by the Food Chamber CZ (PK) as a serious lapse of the state administration. The Food Chamber came to this standpoint during their last meeting on Thursday 31st March. According to the PK director Miroslav Kobern, food companies intend to defend their rights. „We will take active measures in the mass media, we will certainly bring legal action to the European Commission and we also consider a demonstration in front of the seat of the Government,“ highlighted Koberna.

Czech vintners complain about the Viticultural fund

Czech vintners are dissatisfied with the Viticultural fund, which was supposed to serve to the promotion of Czech wine. There are approximately 60 million CZK on the fund´s accounts, however, they are not being allocated. „Before, we used to get money for outplanting or for example for irrigation, it was really convenient. Once we joined the EU, however, it suddenly stopped. It is rather a burden than help since importers do not pay anything. So what do we need such a fund for? I have no idea whatsoever where my money is going to,“ cries Josef Kadlčík, the director and co-owner of Archbishop palace´s wine Kroměříž, at the same time a co-owner of the vineyard. From each hectar of the vineyard older than 3 years he has to pay 350 CZK a month, from every litre of the wine produced and first introduced at the territory of the Czech Republic it is 50 hellers.