Summary of newsmakers of the previous day – 11.9.2006

Worsening of social and pension situation

A sum allotted to the Ministry of Agriculture in a proposal of state budget for next year is disliked by the Agrarian Chamber as well as agricultural unions. If the budget of Ministry is not strengthen, there will be a threat for agriculture of large financial losses and worsening of social and pension situation of agricultural enterprises. It is claimed by the Trade union of agricultural and nutrition workers – Association of individual unions. The Ministry of Agriculture (MZe) has allotted meanwhile, in comparison with originally required 28 billion, sum of 13,4 billion crowns and other 6,05 billion is allotted for it in general treasury administration. The office demands strengthening of budget by seven billion in comparison with the present state otherwise it would not reputedly avoid many reductions.

Support of eco-farming will increase to half billion yearly

In ecological agriculture 68 000 pieces of cattle and calves were bred at the end of last year, as well as about 24 000 sheep, 3100 pigs and almost 3000 pieces of poultry. Supports of ecological agriculture should be in 2007 – 2013 at average about a half billion crowns yearly, while in last years it is roughly 300 billion. At a press conference to open the action “September – month of bio-foods and ecological agriculture” it was reported by the Minister of Agriculture Jan Mládek. For example subsidies per one hectare of meadows and pastures in ecological agriculture should increase since 2007 to 2650 crowns from the present 1100 crowns.

Hurricane Florence rushes to Bermudas

Tropical storm Florence has strengthened again and grown in a category of hurricanes. The National American Centre for Hurricanes in Miami announced it today in Florida. To be ranged into the category of hurricanes wind at perimeter of the storm has to strengthen at least to 119 kilometers in hour. Florance has reached this speed when it was measure 120 kilometers in hour during the night. Meteorologists from Miami hurricane center estimate besides that that Florance will further become strong in next 24 hours.

State Lesy will announce tenders for billions

New contracts will came in force since January. Firms warn against a lack of wood. At the turn of the year manoeuvres with displacement of cutting machinery and people will possibly break out in half of all Czech forests. Logging will often even stop for several weeks. The state enterprise Lesy CR, a firm with six-hundred billion property and hundreds-million annual earnings decided about it on Friday. František Koníček, the chief of Lesy, confirm it after negotiation with private firms. Already in September it will announce new tenders for forest works for all its territory – it is more than half of growths in the republic. Most of present contracts stay on invalid tenders. They did not abide with the law on commissions of public orders. New contracts on tenders which will reach several billion crowns in total will come in force since the 1st January.

Source: Agris, 12.9.2006