Summary of newsmakers from the previous day 31. 5. 2005

Announcement on forestation of agricultural land and Announcement on founding forest stands of quickly growing woody plants for 2005

The State Agricultural and Intervention Fund informs all the applicants who have submitted their applications this year within the provision Forestry. In accordance with the government regulation no. 308/2004, as amended, the applicants are bound to deliver an announcement about having performed afforestation of agricultural land, or announcement about founding forest stands of quickly growing woody plants by 30th June 2005 in case the afforestation has been carried out by this date.

European Commission proposes to unite and restrict conditions for breeding of broilers

Today the European Commission has approved of a draft of new directive, which would unite conditions for intensive breeding of broilers within the European Union. So far the conditions have been specified by the member countries regulations and general norms on animal protection. The European Commission above all requires that chicken density doesn´t exceed 30 kilograms per square metre, as long as the breeding meets at least minimal requirements on animal care, and 38 kilograms if maximal care is provided. Among conditions under consideration there are for instance ambient temperature, ventilation efficiency, light etc.

Historically first international standards on animal welfare could positively influence lives of milliards of animals

Delegates of Paris meeting of the World Animal Health Organisation, which was attended by 167 member states, approved of global standards on animal transport and slaughter. The Compassion In World Farming and European Alliance for Farm Animals including the Society for Animals have welcomed this decision.

Duck meat production in the Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic approximately 270,000 tons of poultry is processed annually and there is a consumption of 24 kilograms per a person. Imports to Brazil and France are quite considerable. Joining the European market has not brought any benefits to Czech producers so far. It is above all the original EU member states that sell their surpluses to newcomer countries. There is a hope that specialties could have a success. Ducks form only a small share in poultry breeding and consumption in the Czech Republic though. Roughly 6,000 to 7,000 tons of duck meat is produced annually. The largest duck processor in the Czech Republic is South-Bohemian Poultry Mirovice (a part of Agropol Group), which disposes of a universal production line for processing ducks and chicken in turns.