Summary of newspapers of the previous day – 5. 10. 2011

Reaction of Private Agriculture Association on sudden withdrawal of Minister of Agriculture Ivan Fuksa

The Fast withdrawal of the Minister of Agriculture Ivan Fuksa very surprised us. We found in the present ex-minister an obligingness to listen to our problems and we appreciate him positively for what he succeeded to push laws and regulations in the area of soil conservation, support to sale from farm, and farmer markets. We also notice positive steps in negotiation of The Czech Republic´s position in the European Union. Moreover, Ivan Fuksa involved in his department in a fight with bureaucracy not only by words, but also by actions, and even if he has not managed successfully to completely reduce the excessive burden imposed on farmers, he eased us much.

Prague hosted experts for EU Common Agricultural Policy

Experts for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union (EU) informally met in Prague yesterday. Specialists from nine countries discussed future reforms for the period after 2013. The European Commission (EC) will introduce its proposals next week, however, main outlines of prepared reforms are known already now. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture used the occasion to negotiate informally with representatives of countries with similar views about a common assertion of interests in European institutions.

Agricultural Committee supported return of hire-purchase sale of land

The parliamentary Agricultural Committee supported a proposal according to which Czech farmers should get back a possibility to buy state land on hire-purchase. The vice-chairman of the parliamentary Agricultural Committee Jiří Papež (ODS), the author of the proposal, said it to ČTK today. The Land Fund of the ČR gave up selling land on interest-free hire-purchase at the end of June. According to the European Commission this form of sale represented a hidden public support from the state´s side. The Agricultural Committee suggested the Chamber of Deputies to approve also the law on sale of state land in the second reading today which should enable its purchase by foreigners.

Discussion forum on reform of agriculture in EU will be in Pilsen

The Regional Discussion Forum taking place from the 6th to 8th October in Pilsen will deal with a debate about a reform and way of financing of the EU Common Agricultural Policy. The meeting will be with participation of officers, Euro-representatives and farmers. They will speak about protection of consumers and food safety. The sense is to inform the expert and lay public and to create a space for discussion of experts. Radek Novák on behalf of a firm Euronova Group, which organizes the action, said it to ČTK.