Summary of newsmakers of the previous days – 3.-5.3.2006

In the 9th week chicken meat cheapened; potatoes and carrot is more expensive

Food prices did not changed significantly this week. For example, sellers cheapened chicken meat and tomatoes, however, they raised price of potatoes, carrot and butter. The Czech Statistic Office found it out in its regular weekly investigation. The most significant price jump was reported by statistics in carrot by 4,5 percent. On the other hand, bananas cheapened the most – by 3,1 percent.

Sweden confirmed first case of Mad Cows Disease

Laboratory tests have confirmed the first case of the so called Mad Cow Disease in Sweden. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) was confirmed by a British laboratory in an animal which died in the central part of Sweden, said the Swedish National Veterinary Institute. Thursday´s preliminary tests showed that the BSE was found in a 12-zear old cow from a farm in the central part of the country. The Institute added that the farm was isolated and all risky animals were slaughtered.

South-Moravian framers want to ban transport of poultry meat in frame of the EU

The South-Moravian Agrarian Chamber wants to ban transport of poultry and poultry meat within the European Union. It also demands announcing of intervention purchases of meat in frame of the republic. Farmers complain about an increased import of cheap poultry meat in the Czech Republic. They warn against the danger of bird flu. The present situation threatens Czech farmers, said the director of Chamber Ladislav Sečkář.

The CR came relatively right in reduction of sugar production quotas

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the Czech Republic has come right in reduction of quotas for sugar production in the European Union. Also according to the Bohemian-Moravian Sugar-Refinery Association it is a good result, even if it could be better. The EU has decided that due to threatening sugar surplus it will reduce by a single application in the season 2006/07 the production quotas by about 2,5 million tons. For the CR it means a reduction of the quota from almost 455 000 tons to 411 332 tons.

Source: Agris, 05.03.2006