Summary of newsmakers from the previous day 15.9. 2005

London increases pressure on reform of European agricultural support

London increases pressure on other countries in a question of agricultural. British Minister Douglas Alexander said to French paper Le Monde that Britain will urge a complete cancellation of agricultural dotations in 2010. An opportunity for adoption of such a measure will be according to Alexander the coming negotiations of the WTO in Hong Kong. British chairmanship plans to issue an official resolution which would set a time schedule of cancellation of dotations. “A definitive extinction of all agricultural aid could happen in 2010, said Alexander.

Association: Growing of potatoes is threatened with imports; acreages decreased in recent years

Growing of potatoes in the Czech Republic is threatened with a pressure of imports and sewed acreage decreased to a half in recent years, said representatives of the Central association of growing potatoes at a press conference. A share of imports in consumption exceed a quarter last year, while in 2001 it was 13 percents. Foreign supplies of potato products increase; also imports of consumption potatoes grow, although they sway depending on a domestic harvest. Growers claim that the country has presumptions to self-sufficiency in this commodity. According to a chairman of the Association František Novák the largest importer of early potatoes is Italy, Germany in case of consumption potatoes. The Czech Republic adopted a consistent control of bacterial diseases towards Polish imports. Supplies of this redoubtable competition did not play a significant role last year.

MZe: 58 ploughmen from 29 countries will participated in the World championship in ploughing

About 58 ploughmen from 29 countries should participate in this year’s 52 nd world championship in ploughing which takes place on the 16. and 17. September in the campus of Czech Univerzity of Agriculture in Prague – Suchdol. Hugo Roldán from the department of communication of the Ministry of Agriculture said it to the ČTK. There will be also a supporting program which includes for example exhibitions of modern and historic agricultural technique, exhibition of farm animals and a demonstration of horse ploughing. The first day the competitors will plough a stubble-field and the second one a meadow. The tilt is divided into two categories – a ploughing with a classical two-plowshare plough and a ploughing with a double-sided rotary plough. The competitors bring their own machines, tractors and ploughs. In ploughing a straightness and a steady depth of cut and time will be evaluated. In last years Austrians were very successful in this competition, Roldán said to the ČTK.

Farmers appeal to the state: Stop sale to speculators

Czech farmers demand the Minister of Agriculture Petr Zgarba to enable again a sale of state land to renters which farm on it. They want to revoke in such a way a resolution of the Land fund from the 21st July enabling now speculative purchases of agricultural land with the help of bought restitution claims. “There are still pieces of land for settlement for about two milliard crowns,” said a president of the Agrarian chamber CR Jan Veleba. The Ministry of Agriculture considers the speculative purchases of restitution claims as a problem, said Hugo Roldán from a press department. According to him the Minister Zgarba has already started to prepare an amendment of act on land which should prevent against such sales.