Summary of newspapers of the previous day – 13.7.2006

Significance of agriculture decreases in output and employment

Agriculture including forestry and fishing has still less share in gross domestic product and in total employment in the Czech Republic. Last year the branch represented about three percents of gross domestic product contrary to 3,9 percent in 2000. Share in employment was four percent contrary to 5,09 percent five years ago. Both shares bring the CR near to advanced countries of the European Union, it is written in the Report on state of agriculture over year 2005. According to an analyst of Patria Finance, David Marek, the share of agriculture in total efficiency of economy in the Czech Republic is still higher than in advanced countries of Europe – for example in Austria it is 2,4 percent, in Belgium 1,2 percent. In comparison with new members of the Union this branch has in the Czech economy a smaller role which is given also by geographical condition and inland industrial tradition.

Expensive bread and pastry and potatoes increased inflation

Bread, pastry and potatoes rise in prices and draw up inflation. Statistics announced yesterday that in June prices increased by 0,3 percents. In comparison with the last year inflation reached 2,8 percents. Contrary to May it is rather fall, however, contrary to last year and beginning of this year the inflation is higher. Numbers confirmed wherewith bakers threat ened at the beginning of summer.

Sugar beet acreage in the EU is smaller by one fifth this year

Sugar beet growers in the EU-25 decreased acreage of sugar beer for this year’s harvest contrary to last year by 19 %. This decrease is likely a reaction to estimated problems with sale of sugar after adoption of EU sugar reform. Farmers in Ireland and Slovenia gave up growing sugar beet completely this year. Sugar beet acreages were very severely reduced in Italy where contrary to last year the acreages were decreased by 158 000 ha to this year’s 90 000 ha (-64 %). According to the firm F.O. Licht also Germany significantly reduces sugar beet production whose acreage is this year less by 54 000 ha (13 %) than in last year.

West-African black rhinoceros was extirpated

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) announced that one of three subspecies of two-horn rhinoceros has with high likelihood become extinct. It is dealt with West-African black rhinoceros. Its numbers strongly fell recently and despite all warnings of specialists to secure a remedy was not successful.