Summary of newsmakers of the previous day – 30.3.2006

ČIŽP controls flood-protection prevention in chemical plants

Since Tuesday, March 28, 2006 the Czech Inspection of Environment (ČIŽP) monitors under the direction of the Minister of Environment Libor Ambrozek a possible threat for plants with dangerous chemical agents by increasing water flows. The ČIŽP press agent, Alena Awwadová, informed about it today. According to ČIŽP none of these plants has been flooded yet, however, many subjects already carry out preventive measures. Spolana a.s. Neratovice put their production out of service, however there is no threat of flooding of the premises with production plants. Kaučuk a.s. Kralupy is prepared for a possible evacuation of its stores, the situation in Vltava does not require this step for the present.

Elbe paralyzed transport in Ústí; water in on the road

High water shifted to middle and lower reach of rivers. The most critical situation is on Dyje, Lužnice rises as well. Elbe flooded the main road I/30 which connects Ústí with Lovosice. In direction to Prague drivers have to go through Teplice. The road was closed at 14 o’clock. Already at night the river flooded the crossing U Pěti oblouků in Ústí which paralyzed flow of trolley-busses. If the level of Elbe rises at a level of 820 cm, The Municipal Authority in Ústí will close Beneš’s bridge.

EU will help to poultry breeders

European poultry breeders, afflicted with decrease in consumption, prices of poultry and eggs due to fear of bird flue, should wait to see an aid from the EU cash desk. The European Commission introduced a proposal enabling co-finance a half of costs of member states for measures to support the market. The EC hopes that the European Parliament and member states will approve the proposal till the end of April so that it can than start to evaluate concrete proposal of member states. Present regulations of the European Union allow to help poultry breeders from the common cash desk only by export subsidies or to contribute for compensation of breeders directly afflicted by bird flu. However, they don’t count on compensation for losses caused by a demand decrease.

To ask for subsidies for stores it will be possible at first in May

Growers will be able to ask for new subsidies for building and renewal of stores for cereals and oil plants apparently in May at first. The term results from an administrative capacity of the State Agricultural Intervention Fund which manages the supports. The money will flow from the operational agricultural program in framework of which European funds are drawn. For this year 340 million crowns is allotted for it, from it three quarters fall on the EU, the rest on the state. The May term for acceptance of applications mean that even if applicants receive the support, apparently they will not build stores or will not modernize them in such a time to use it already for this year’s harvest. The effect will come obviously in next harvest time.

Source: Agris, 31.03.2006