Summary of newsmakers of the previous day – 13.3.2007

PRO-BIO sees solution in more favourable tariffs for farms without parallel faming

PRO-BIO Association of Ecological Farmers does not agree with areal decrease of compensations for permanent grass stands on which the Ministry of Agriculture has informed in its declaration (decrease of compensations by 710,- CZK from originally agreed 2 640,-Kč/ha). The Association reported it in its press declaration. “If the aim of these changes is a support of bioproduction, the Association sees a solution in reduction of compensations only to ecological farms with parallel conventional production”, the document says. The present system of areal payment of compensations helps to create many models which in no way support bio-food production. In eco-farms with parallel conventional production the likelihood of outflow of supports in the conventional production is higher.

Brussels threatened to the Czech Republic that it will not get 6 billion CZK for sewage plants

The European Commission again threatened to the Czech Republic that it will not get money for water-management projects, especially sewage plants. Roughly six billion crowns is in danger because the Commission refuses to adopt compromises of Czech side and considers them as insufficient. It results from an EC letter to Czech Minister of Environment, Martin Bursík, which ČTK obtained from a credible source. It searches for an expression of Czech authorities. The contention between the Czech Republic and the Commission has lasted for a longer time. Brussels dislikes first of all agreements among towns and operators of water management infrastructure. Particular agreements are reputedly too long and don't secure a sufficient inflow of investment.

Gandalovič dissuaded farmers from blockade of borders

The Minister of Agriculture Petr Gandalovič called on Czech farmers to back off a prepared blockade of borders. Czech Agrarian Chamber asserts that trade chains prefer meat from abroad to Czech one. It is said to damage Czech side. The Chamber threatens with protests. “We have negotiated about the entire situation in meat trade. Again I have called on the Chamber to back off the blockade which would cause an international problem. I have announced to the president of Agrarian Chamber Jan Veleba that I would like to invite all interested parties at a round table in next days. Farmers, processors and representatives of trade chains would have an opportunity to clear these things each other”, the minister said.

SMO: Ministry of Agriculture hit the poorest areas

The proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture CR (MZE) to reduce compensation from the Rural Development Program from originally planned 2 650 CZK to 1940 CZK for ecologically managing farmers will hit hard the poorest areas of Czech borderland. It is written in today's declaration of the Marginal Areas Union (SMO). Just there, according to SMO, are the most areas farmed in ecological way which is given mainly by a worse quality of land in these areas, moreover, combined with their higher altitude above sea level. So, the decrease of compensations will affect in paradox especially those who the most fulfill the ministry's appeal to return cattle in mountain and foothills areas.