Summary of newsmakers of the previous day – 2.11. 2006

SZIF has already paid 1,3 milliard of dotations

Since the end of October till today the State Agricultural Intervention Fund (SZIF) has already paid compensation contributions for farming in less favourable areas to farmers, so called LFA in height of 1,3 milliard crowns. A spokesman of SZIF Vilém Fr˙ek informed on it and added that already 1591 applicants have been paid out to the 6th of September. Almost 9,3 thousands application had been received which represents 2,9 milliard crowns. An overwhelming majority decisions which forego payments should be given over till December 2006”, emphasized Fr˙ek.

Increase of beer consumption tax has obviously no chance to succeed

Ministers of Finances of the European Union will deal with a proposal for increase of minimal consumption tax on beer and other spirits on Tuesday in Brussels. Already now is very likely that the measure has almost no chance to succeed. It is also blame of the Czech Republic which is prepared to veto the proposal. Tomáš Zídek, the deputy minister of finances participated on behalf of the CR. However, the Czech Republic is not alone in fight against increase in minimal consumption tax should repel inflation over last several years. Above all Germany is against and according to CTK source also Lithuania and Latvia. Presently there are only several possibilities how the voting can end.

Reaction of the Ministry of Environment Petr Jan Kalaš to today’s action of Greenpeace

“I am not a friend of this type of actions because I am convinced that we have started a process which will enable a dialogue in quite more cultivated environment. I believe that it is dealt with important problems which should not be subject to political influences. Therefore I don’t enter actively the whole process which I suppose as a purely special matter. I have informed Greenpeace representatives about establishment of a work group which will examine transparency and reality of submitted data. On base of its work it is possible – if new, relevant arguments appear – to approach to eventual adjustments of allocation plan proposal.

Ecologists blocked entrance in Ministry

Greenpeace activists barred the main entrance in the building of Ministry of Environment in the morning. They placed a sign “Cancelled for inactivity” and “It doesn’t protect climate but polluters” on a wooden construction. Activists protest against the Ministry’s proposal in 2008-2012 to distribute permissions for 102 million tons of carbon dioxide to enterprises. The head of Greenpeace campaign for energetics Jan Rovenský was received by the Minister Petr Kalaš.

“The minister said to him that he is open for a dialogue and the proposal could be changed during a month discussion if relevant arguments appear. However, he himself doesn’t want to enter the discussion so as not to politicized it”, said Karolína Š˙lová, the ministry’s spokeswoman.

Source: Agris, 7.11.2006