Summary of newsmakers of the previous day – 23.8.2006

Země živitelka is thirty three years old this year

The gate of fairground in České Budějovice will be opened tomorrow already for thirty third time and will welcome first visitors of the international agri-show Země živitelka (Eart breadwinner). In frame of the exhibition attention has been paid to topic of the countryside for several years and the motto “Future of Czech agriculture and Czech countryside” is actual also this year. Regarding relevancy of solution of ecological questions in the agri-food branch this topic will be covered separately with the name Ecostyle. The traditional presentation of cooperatives will be at international level this year and also this topic will get separate name the International exhibition of cooperatives.

Ozone hole above Antarctic is said not to enlarge farther

Ozone hole in Earth atmosphere above the Antarctic has obviously stopped enlarging. It was announced by significant American scientists who are cited news station BBC on its web pages. The ozone layer protects the Earth against ultraviolet rays from the Sun. If people, animals and plants are exposed to them, it can be dangerous. The hole was discovered in 1986. Subsequently international agreements on end of use of chemicals damaging the ozone layer were adopted. BBS writes that there are some estimates that in 60 years the hole could have been completely “healed”. Two of scientists who helped activate the world against the threat resulting from the existence of this hole in 80’s now reported at a conference in Washington that they believed that the situation was improving.

Sanitation of forests began just slowly

It is the first step to rescue Czech forests, however, meanwhile only very small and diffident. In that way decision of government, which has passed rules for allotment of forestry subsidies for next seven years, could be summed up. Foresters can obtain newly a state support only in case when they let at least five tress on each hectare of forest to grow old. It will enable reentry of more nutrients in soil than till this time when all trees were cut and carried to be worked up. Old trees are very important for healthy forest functioning. Many bird species can nest in their hollows. After death of trees the rotting trunks has enormous importance for many plants and animals. “It is excellent substrate for many kinds of soil animals which otherwise would not live there”, Jakub Hruška from Czech Geological Society says.

Opening of Program of Rural Development will be probably delayed

As we had already informed you, the government passed the Program of Rural Development of the CR for 2007-2013 at its last meeting before the demission on 16.8.2006. The adopted program stems from the National strategic plan of rural development which was negotiated and passed already in May.