Summary of newsmakers from the previous day 2. 6. 2005

Animal and plant species die out in our country and worldwide too

Animal and plant species on the Earth are dying out faster than ever before in the past and with such a speed that it is beginning to endanger the existence of mankind itself. The latest study called „Biologic diversity and quality life of mankind“ has proved it. A drop in number of species leads to a crucial limitation of key and vital „ecosystem services“ (i.e. those that nature and ecosystems provide for humans), above all exceptable food and drinkable water. At the moment the danger threatens mainly the poorest countries in the world.

Agriculture got through the loss last year, it recorded a profit of 9 milliard CZK

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, last year Czech agriculture got through the losses and recorded a profit of 8.99 milliard CZK, while still in 2003 it ended up with a loss of 2.36 milliard CZK. Farmers are said to leave the red numbers mainly thanks to the last year´s accession to the European Union, when subsidies to agrarian sector started to rise, and an improvement in agricultural production and prices. „Joining the EU has brought a significant increase of incomes and enhancement of business results,“ stated the Report on state of agriculture in 2004, which was sent to the Czech News Agency today by Hugo Roldán from the press department of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Certified wood, suitable article

Wood processors literally fight for quality wood from the Association of Private and Municipal Forests in Svitavy district. Due to environmentally friendly forest management local foresters have been awarded with the international prize for the best quality from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Even though it is not a Nobel prize, forest owners in Svitavy district are excited. The certificate concerns one private property and ten municipal forests.

Subvention for bee-keeping

The State Agricultural and Intervention Fund (SZIF) announces: according to the approved three-year Czech programme for bee-keeping support, starting from 2005 it is now possible to apply for subsidies. Final recipients of subvention apply for financial support through the Czech Association of Bee-keepers, which will also deliver the appropriate sums of money. In order to perform the whole process of subvention distribution, the government Regulation no. 197/2005 on setting the requirements for providing subsidies to carry out measures to improve general conditions in the production of bee products and their implementation in the market has come into force. Further information are available in the section called „Subvention for measures in the field of bee-keeping“ on www.szif.cz (The Joint Market Organization/Commodities Animal production Bee-keeping).