Summary of newsmakers from the previous day 15.8.2005

Milliard investments in energy are expected in Germany

In area of “renewable energy resources” in following fifteen years about 200 milliard EUR should be invested, representatives of various energetic branches announced it at opening of an information campaign “Germany has infinitely much energy”. In the commonly worked “Essen declaration” representatives of branches undertook to cover the need of electric energy, heat and fuels from renewable resources in Germany till 2020. Other aims: a yearly growth by 10 %; a share of export products 70 % with a volume 15 milliard EUR yearly and a decrease of cost for energy production by 40 %. In total rock-oil, gas and coal exports should be saved in a value of 20 milliard EUR.

Bird flu extends in Russia, Czech Republic is afraid

The state veterinary administration reacted to information that a number of bird flu cases increases in Russia and Kazakhstan. It produced suggestion for veterinarians at the airport in Ruzyně and also for the General head office of duties. That despite the fact that no poultry is imported to us from Russia. “The veterinary administration does not take the information easy that bird flu appeared latest at the area of Russian federation and Kazakhstan”, said Josef Duben, a spokesman of iDNES. “Although no poultry meat nor birds from these areas were imported, we took relevant measures”, he add.

Union: Agricultural production will fall to the latest level in 15 years this year

The gross agricultural production in constant prices will be the lowest in 15 years this year, said a chairman of the Agricultural Union Miroslav Jirovský at a press conference today. The union estimates the production to 67 milliard crowns which is a decrease by ten milliard crown comparing with the last year. Mainly a fall of animal production, which projects in the Czech self-sufficiency in some foods, shares in the decrease of agriculture. According to ČSÚ data in this year’s first half-year the beef meat production decreased by more than a fifth to 39 900 tons; in pig meat the fall was by 16,2 % to 168 000 tons. The Czech Republic is no longer self-efficient in pig meat and will be neither in beef meat, said Jirovský.

State gave 280 millions in renewal of hop gardens

Only a third of hop gardens in the Czech Republic is in the most productive age of five to fifteen years. On the other hand, a third of hop gardens is old 20 and more years which influences a decrease of yields and it projects negatively in economy of this plant growing. The worst situation is in Úštěk area in Litoměřice region where more than 40 % of hop gardens is older than 20 and more years. In the largest domestic hop area, in Žatec region, it is 33 %. “The renewal of hop gardens in the Czech Republic takes place slowly”, said Zdeněk Rosa, a secretary of the Hop Growers Union of the CR.