Summary of newsmakers of the previous day – 24.08. 2006

EU tightened up rules for import of rice from the USA due to GMO

The European Union tightened up today requirements for imports of long-grain rice from the United States to ensure that no traces of genetically modified organisms (GMO) will be in it. The European Commission reported it after American authorities had found out recently traces of a variety of GMO rice which had not been approved for market yet in samples of common rice for sale. „The European Commission adopted a decision today demanding, so that imports of long-grain rice from the USA were provided by a certificate confirming that they are free of GMO rice LL Rice 601 “, said a spokesman of the Commission Phillip Tod. So, only supplies of rice from the USA tested by accredited laboratory will be able to enter European market. The decision will be reviewed by a committee of experts from 25 EU countries.

Price of potatoes will rise as much as twice

A weaker harvest of potatoes not only in the Czech Republic but also in surrounding countries means the only thing: prices will rise further. There is lack of mate-ripening potatoes here. Last year they were replaced by import from Poland, Hungary, Germany and Slovakia, therefore prices did not increased so rapidly. However, this year the situation is different – the lack of potatoes is everywhere.

Some European countries are frightened by „blue tongue“

It is sheep disease which is named „bluetongue“ just because tongue of ill animals on their last legs goes blue. This disease had been discovered in the Netherlands, Belgium and in the north of Germany. All countries have adopted appropriate measures – creation of protective zones, a ban of trade with ruminants, and checks of transports of animals.

Farmers harvested two thirds of cereals and almost all rape

According to data of the Ministry of Agriculture (MZe) farmers have harvested two thirds from 1,43 million hectares of cereals and 96 percents of rape from 292 000 ha to the beginning of the week. An average yield of cereals from one hectare is by five percent less than last year. According to the Agrarian Chamber (AK) harvest in some regions due to unstable and rainy weather will proctract till September. Yields will decrease to 4,2 – 4,3 tons from hectare and problems will be mainly with quality, said Jan Veleba, the president of AK.