Summary of newsmakers from the previous day – 10.11. 2005

Zgarba will be replaced by Mládek

The Minister of Agriculture Petr Zgarba (ČSSD) is going to leave office on the 16th November. The Prime Minister Jiří Paroubek (ČSSD) announced it at a press conference. A reason for Zgarba´s resignation is above all a situation in the Land Fund. It enabled speculators in Prague environs and other places of the CR to get lucrative lots on which they can capitalize more than two milliard crowns. A new Minister of Agriculture will be a representative and economic adviser of the Prime Minister Jan Mládek (ČSSD) who calls itself a „Big Bear“ on his internet pages. Mládek was the first deputy minister of finances in 1999 to 2001.

Apple harvest almost ends, reserves will be less by fifth

An apple harvest in orchards of Czech growers almost ends, it remains to harvest about five last percent of acreages. Due to spring frosts the total harvest will be according to estimation lower by about a fourth in comparison with the last year which will be reflected in lower reserves before a winter and spring sale seasons. „Reserves are expected at a level of 40 000 tons. Compared to an average of two last years it is about a fifth less“, said a secretary of the Fruit-Growing Union of the CR Martin Ludvík to the ČTK today. However, there is no fear of a lack of apples on the Czech market because the loss will be easily replaced by import. „In old countries of the European Union an average harvest is expected, in new countries a decrease between ten to 20 percents is estimated“, said Ludvík.

Setuza was overruled by Pitr´s firm Český olej

One of the biggest home food firms, Setuza, was overruled by a company Český olej. A parcel of 38,3 percent of Setuza´s shares, which was till this time kept by the Subsidiary and Guarantee Rural and Forestry Fund (PGRLF), was transfered to it. Moreover, the company Český olej bought other shares and increased its present share 49,92 percent to more than 90 percent, said Tomáš Pitr who represents Český olej. The transfer of 38 % shares was realized, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MZe) which is the only shareholder of PGRLF, on base of an option contract signed in 2002 and its additions. The contract was prepared by the last management of the MZe.

Parliament agreed with transition of Forests SR to join-stock company

Slovak Parliament agreed today a proposal for an intention of transformation of the state enterprise the Forests of the SR to a join-stock company. The government in a change of legal form of enterprise expects among others an improvement in economy of the company. Forest lots in an account value about 34 milliard Slovak crowns, however, will not switch in a property of a new company but will stay further in the state ownership. The stockholder rights in a firm, which will only manage the forests, will be administered by the Ministry of Agriculture.