Summary of newsmakers of the previous day – 23.1.2007

ACH: Windstorm has caused damages for about 100 million CZK to farmers

According to the Agrarian Chamber damages which, were caused to farmers by hurricane at the end of last week, can be estimated about one hundred million crowns. First of all it is dealt with damages of roofs of farm building, said a president of the Agrarian Chamber Jan Veleba to ČTK today. In his opinion the chambers will not require any help from the state. “It is a matter of insurance of particular farmers”, Veleba said and added that according to estimations the damages should be insured roughly from 70 percent.

Hurricane brought back problem with wood engraver in Šumava

Hurricane uprooted and damaged also trees in the most valuable national parks. Management of park solves whether to let lie trees or to harvest the wood. Management of national parks has not counted all fallen and damaged trees yet and conservationists come with call appeal so that fallen trees in the most valuable protected areas were let lie - the nature will cope with them. “The Ministry of Environment and parks administrations should resist the pressure of foresters and municipalities to harvest and take away all wood due to a threat of wood engraver calamity”, a deputy director of the Czech Geological Service Jakub Hruška who deals with the problems of Czech forests for a long time.

Other countries including EU complain about American farmers in WTO

The European Union, Australia, Argentina and Brazil joined Canada in complaining about American farmers in the World Trade Organization (WTO). According to them American corn growers receive help from the government which is in conflict with WTO rules. So, there is a threat of a new contention for dotations, moreover at a time when discussions on trade liberalization are just by this reasons deadlock. Complainants sent a stimulus to the WTO to consultations and they will strive so that the WTO make good, if it finds a reason for it. According to the WTO rules it is necessary at first to pass three-month consultations, only then it is possible to ask the WTO to start an investigation. In the end the WTO has a possibility to use sanctions and check their fulfillment. However, the process can last even several years.

European Commission has decided on budget for rural development

The European Commission has decided on a budget for rural development for 25 member states for years 2007 to 2013. It stemmed from a decision of the Council of Europe in December 2005 on financial perspectives. A height of financial sum for each member state will be set on base of following criteria: A certain share is reserved for particular regions on base of criteria of convergence; a share for each member state on base of warranty of EAGGF for rural development and Leader+; a special conditions and needs based on objective criteria (the Council of Europe allocated a certain financial means to eight member states). This decision will be adjusted as soon as Bulgaria and Romania become a member of the EU. For these two countries other financial means are earmarked.