Summary of newsmakers of the previous day – 14.12. 2006

SVA CR pays appropriate attention to welfare

Program of animal protection was presented at the international level in Strasbourg. On the 23rd and 24th of November, 2006 an international action took place in Strasbourg which was organized by the agency TAIEX with a cooperation of bodies from the European Council with participation of delegations from 46 member states of the European Council and associating countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Belorussia and many non-governmental organizations dealing with animal protection. A purpose was to agree on common principles of animal welfare and protection, to spread and to respect them in as wide dimensions as possible in other geographical territories. A content of the conference refers to a negotiation of the International Conference on Animal Welfare organized by Austrian presidency on the May 30, 2006 in Brussels and the Conference O.I.E (International Office for Animal Infections) in Paris.

Declaration of owners of hunting pieces of land to CTK report on Constitutional Court Decision

The Constitutional Court of the CR refused in a full extent a complaint of representatives and senators of the Parliament of the CR of unconstitutionality of the Law on hunting (the Law No. 449/2001 Col.) on Wednesday, the 13th of December, 2006. According to the CTK report it resulted from a presumption that it is necessary to understand hunting as a “purposeful regulated activity in the interest of nature protection” and according to the constitutional judge Dagmar Lastovecká “the law on hunting does not establish a contrariety to constitutionally guaranteed rights”. We pint out that at the Ministry of Agriculture hunting is ranged and understood (thanks to the present chairman of the Bohemian.Moravian Hunting Union – ČMMJ- Jaroslav Palas) as an economic activity and it is stated equal to fishery and beekeeping.

Austrian representatives wanted to sue the CR due to Temelín

Austrian Parliament appealed to the government unanimously to bring a suit against the Czech Republic unless Prague documents strengthening of safety of the nuclear power station Temelín. The CR promised it in an agreement from Melk. The resolution of representatives is formally binding for Austrian Cabinet. Austrian Minister of Environment Josef Pröll declared in a debate before voting that his resort in cooperation with experts looks for a way to bring an international suit against the Czech Republic. In his opinion the Ministry should decide on other steps in two weeks. However, also some Austrian lawyers admit that Austria does not have many chances to put through a possible suit.

SZIF wants to pay maximum of money till year-end

The State Agricultural Intervention Fund (SZIF) has already paid the first 59 requests for a national additional payment Top-Up in a total sum 190 bil. CZK. Vilém Frček, the spokesman of SZIF informed on it. Decisions on Top-Up are delivered to applicants with lawful Decision on SAPS already since the beginning of December. Their number will exceed 17,5 thousand and the total maximal height will be 7,3 bil. CZK.

Source: Agris, 15.12.2006