Summary of newsmakers from the previous day – 17.1.2006

To burn wood is not as cheap as it is argued

The international exhibition Infoterma is traditionally specialized on economic and ecological heating of small and middle objects. What this year’s year is focused on? This year’s year reacts to further increase of noble fuels. A mass transition from less valuable fuels to noble ones influenced significantly the air quality, especially in the countryside. Even before about fifteen years local furnaces shared in the total air pollution with more than 50 percents. Today that situation is markedly better. A question is, for how long. Significant rice in the price of noble fuels leads to the fact that people begin again to burn everything what burns in local furnaces regardless the air pollution. There are many ecological public notices and regulations which forbid it, but on the other hand, often it is unreal to apply these regulations whether from a technical or a social point of view. The exhibition Infoterma wants to show people the possibilities which they have.

South-Bohemian vine growers: If state not help, viticulture will be in threat of collapse

If the government not help vine growers, the Czech viticulture is said to be in a threat of economic collapse. South-Bohemian vine-growers are prepared to demonstrate in Prague at the end of January, said a chairman of the Břeclav Agrarian Chamber Jan Hajda to journalists today. According to him, owners of vineyards got for grapes as much as a half less last year than in 2004 and so they lost about 300 million crowns. The accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union and the unprotected market are responsible for the losses, claims the Chamber in Břeclav.

New Year speech of Jan Mládek, the Minister of Agriculture CR

I regard the position and the role of food industry as very important and unsubstitutable in frame of processing sector of the Czech Republic. Without doubt, the economically strong and healthy food branch is crucial for maintenance of economically stable and healthy agriculture and vice versa. I am convinced that the permanent aim of Czech producers of agricultural commodities and food processors should be to retain positions on the domestic market and to remain in a role of the main food supplier for the domestic market especially now, in conditions of the EU open market. I would like to emphasize that me, as the Minister of Agriculture CR identify with this aim and continuation in a support of sale of domestic foods I consider as one of my priorities.

Martin Mařík: Why do subsidies belong on web?

Why did you write just about me how much subsidies I take? – a majority of farmers and firm managers complain. Their names appeared in newspapers thanks to a publication of data on the State Agricultural Fund’s web pages. “The afflicted” add immediately that they personally do not mind the publication but...That BUT has then three points. At first, somebody else should be published in the press, concretely someone who does not employ so many people, whose accounting is not in good order, and who makes improper use of the subsidies in fact. Secondly, a journalist should always emphasize that to take agrarian subsidies is absolutely normal , needed and advisable. And finally, nominal declassification of supports will invoke envy. So, there a question remains, if that all is all right at all?

Source: Agris, 18.01.2006