Summary of newspapers of the previous days – 19. – 21.09. 2008

Number of eco-farms doubled last year in Vysočina

27 new eco-farms were registered last year and 63 in total worked in the region at the year-end. Fast growth continues this year too, Tomáš Klejzar from regional center of the association PRO-BIO says. “Ecological agriculture has never been as good off as now. Organic farming starts to pay off to farmers”, Klejzar told. Consumers get used to buy bio-foods also directly on farms. However, domestic production gets with difficulties on shelves of common shops where farmers would need to have main sale secured.

Festival Znojemský hrozen will introduce gastronomy of France and Baltic states

The 10th year of International Festival of Television and Br oadcasting Programs on Gastronomy “Znojemský hrozen”, which will introduce over 300 shots from 20 countries; among others for example from France and Baltic states, was opened by the Minister of Agriculture Petr Gandalovič this afternoon. In his introductory speech the minister summarized preparation of the department for the coming presidency of the Czech Republic in the European Union; he told of ambitions, but above all of matter-of-fact topics to which we want to draw attention during our mandate, or which we will “inherit” from French colleagues.

Czech land to foreigners? ČSL want to make it easier

To enable sale of state land to individuals and legal entities from abroad under the same conditions which are in force at present for Czech citizens. It is just what is required by the Legislative government council in a prepared amendment of act on state land sale. It results from official objections of Cyril Svoboda´s office to the proposal of the law worked out by the Ministry of Agriculture. If the Legislative council really enforced its objection, it would mean, according to an advisor of the Ministry of Agriculture Miloslav Kučera, in fact a break-through of exchange law and an open possibility of sale of Czech land to foreigners who have higher buying power than inland farmers.

Checks of children snacks did not reveal more serious inadequacies

Sucklings and children to three year of age are felt as a sensitive group of consumers, therefore specific safety, quality and marking requirements refer to foods determined for this group. The State Agricultural and Food Inspection pays high interest to the control of their keeping. This year the Inspection has evaluated 255 samples of children snacks, side-dishes and beverages. They sampled all kinds of snacks, side-dishes (vegetable, meat-vegetable, soups etc.) and beverages of Czech and foreign origin. They evaluated snack in bio-quality as well as snacks sold in some drug-stores.