Summary of newsmakers from the previous day 14.6.2005

Summary of newsmakers from the previous day 14.6.2005

Country should get as many as 120 billion CZK from new EU fund

The Czech Republic should have a chance to draw a support as many as 120 billion CZK in years 2007 2013 from a new European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. It is supposed to unify subsidies in this area and to replace present aid flowing from several resources. It was stated by the minister of agriculture, Petr Zgarba, at todays press conference. Support of the country should be increased. The fund is about to replace subsidies from the operational program, the Horizontal Plan of Rural Development and Leader programs from January 1, 2007.

Creutzfeld-Jacob disease terrified Neplachovice

A Monday inspection test confirmed a nineteenth case of so called Creutzfeld-Jacob disease (BSE) in the Czech Republic. The infected was a five-year old dairy cow from a farm breeding in Neplachovice, agricultural coop Hraničář, with a place of business in nearby Loděnice in Opava region. It is the first case of the disease in Moravian-Silesian region. The central director of State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic, Milan Maleny, said that about 250 peers of infected cattle should be put down preventively and examined.

Big concern about renewal, silt control and reconstruction of ponds

The Ministry of Agriculture registers 83 claims for this year within a grant title “Renewal, silt control and reconstruction of ponds” in total cost sum of 1023 bil. CZK. 200 bil. CZK was earmarked from the state budget for this program, from which approximately 50 % falls to actions under construction from years 2003 and 2004. With regard to the fact that subsidies are being provided in height of c. 75 % costs, a demand overhang is sevenfold higher than current possibilities. Therefore the Ministry of Agriculture tries hard to find ways to strengthen the program financially.

Milk market in extended European Union

An enlargement of the European Union on the 1st May, 2004 by ten Central- and East-European countries was expected on a milk market with a suspension. The admission into the Union put high requirements on milk producers in new member states to meet hygienic standards of milk and milk products in the EU. Despite high demands and problems before and after the admission in the EU, milk yields in new member states increased significantly.