Summary of newsmakers of the previous day – 18.3.2008

Fruit-growers are afraid of frosts, they could harm apricot-trees and cherry-trees

Night frosts which meteorologists forecast for coming days could harm buds and flora buds of apricots and cherry-trees. The biggest risk is in early-ripening varieties of apricots which are before blossom. The expected frost as much as six degrees below zero should not touch apple trees. Martin Ludvík, a secretary of Fruit-growers Union CR said it to ČTK today. Thanks to warm weather in January and February the vegetation of fruit trees, compared to a usual average, is sped roughly by two or three weeks. “Cold March slowed down a bit the vegetation, however, it can be expected that all fruit trees will have ceased blossoming by the end of April”, Ludvík reckoned.

LČR doubled expenditures for public interests for this year

“Program 2000 - ensuring of aims of public interests in Lesy České Republiky” (LČR) serves for financing of renewal and maintenance of tourist roads and footpaths, nature trails, rest places, wells, cultural monuments, and many other activities in forests. As a spokesman of LČR Radek Drahný informed today, in frame of this research 60 million crowns can be invested in regions this year. The realization of Program 2000 is covered from own financial means of LČR, so from created gain. In the first year of the Program 2000 10 million crows were determined for spending; other years it was dealt with a sum 30 million crowns. LČR invested more than 200 million crowns in this program in 1999 - 2007.

Inflation in industry fell away, in agriculture vice versa

Growth of prices of industrial producers slowed down in February, even more than analysts expected. On the contrary farmers sold their production more expensively. Cereals raised in price year-on-year by 60 %, milk by more than quarter. Price index of industrial producers increased by only a tenth of percent in February and inflation on year basis slowed down from 6 % in January to 5,6 %. “The market inclined to deceleration to 5,8 percents. It is dealt with a positive surprise for which we can thank to an influence of Czech currency which rules growth of domestic price level”, an analyst of Raiffeisenbank, Michal Brožka, commented a report by the Czech Statistic Office.

MZe will prolong term for submission of applications for projects removing calamity damages

Prolongation of a term for submission of Application for subsidy in frame of the Rural Development Program for the intention Renewal of Forestry Potential after Calamities was approved today by the Minister of Agriculture Petr Gandalovič. So, it will still be possible to submit applications till the 28th of March. The minister decided in the interest of faster removal of calamity damages in forests although damages are significantly less than in the hurricane Kyrill, so it is not necessary to adopt any extraordinary measures. On base of the minister's decision the term, for reception of Applications for subsidy of the Rural Development Program for the intention a) Renewal of Forestry Potential after Calamities which is now a part of sub-measure II.2.4.1 Renewal of Forestry Potential after Calamities and Introduction of Preventive Measures.