Summary of newsmakers of the previous day – 30.1.2007

Government postponed adoption of program for spending money from EU

The government drew negotiation of a proposal of Integration Operational Program back from its program. Thanks to this program the CR would be able to spent as much as 43.7 billion crowns from European funds in 2007 - 2013. Mirek Topolánek, the premier, said it at a press conference. “The proposal merits further discussion”, he added without saying when the government returns to the program.

Gandalovič: I deny reducing of sugar production

For the first time the new Minister of Agriculture Petr Gandalovič obtained a brief from domestic farmers in Brussels - and it was not easy for him in a centre of European bureaucracy. He wants in the Council of ministers of European Union above all to prevent a further decreasing of sugar production, one of the crucial agricultural commodities. “I am disenchanted from the negotiation. We neither became vocal with our objections”, the minister said. His party ODS has criticized Brussels policy already for a long time. “I will send a letter to the agricultural commissioner Fisher-Boel owing to sugar and also I will ask for an individual meeting”, Gandalovič does not want to surrender in a fight for sugar. Brussels in the effort to decrease en expensive sugar over-production in next season wants to scratch a part of production, which they are allowed to produce, for all member states. It would mean a significant reduction of production by twelve percents; it is by about two million tons of sugar.

Lesy CR has decided on way of commissioning of processing the calamity in emergency conditions areas

Lesy of the Czech Republic in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture CR has decided on a way of commissioning of processing the windbreak calamity in emergency conditions areas. Only calamity works will be commissioned in form of simple supply proceedings of integrated commissions. Generally, it will be dealt with contract territorial units (CTU) or their parts (calamity blocks). The whole procedure is shortened to a time minimum, in terms of need of immediate start of works for removal of the calamity. The Board of Trustees of Lesy CR at its meeting on the 24th of January 2007 took cognizance of information of the head-manager of Lesy CR to the actual situation in connection with the calamity.

Reports on listeriosis decreased takings of Madeta by 100 millions

Takings of the biggest inland milk producer Madeta have decreased by more than 100 million crowns in connection with reports on a possible occurrence of the bacteria causing the dangerous listeriosis in some soft cheeses, said Milan Teplý, a head-manager of the company. Inspectors founded listerias in December last year and in January this year in some samples of salads and meat products as well as in ripening cheese. Madeta, in Teplý's opinion, produced for example chesses Romadur and Niva at a level of 40 % of a common production volume last month. Due to fears from listeria an unnamed trade chain canceled contracted supplies of cheese.