Summary of newsmakers of the previous day – 30.5. 2007

Czech Republic will bring suit against Brussels due to fine for excessive reserves

The government dislikes that the Czech Republic should pay a fine for excessive accumulation of reserves. Therefore the state will appeal to the European Law Court and will litigate with Brussels for the fine. The Commission punished the Czech Republic with a sum 12,3 million Euros (350 million crowns) for excessive accumulation of foods. “The government decided to go to the action”, the Premier Mirek Topolánek said to journalists today. The Czech Republic should deliver the first payment of penalty till the end of May. Payments should be distributed till the year 2010. However, according to the Minister of Agriculture Petr Gandalovič it has not been proved that the Czech Republic would affect anyhow the EU market.

Kofola strengthens its central-European empire

The company Kofola Holding is successful in a duel with beverage giants of Coca Cola type. According to published audited data the firm realizes almost three and half billion crowns for its products in the Central Europe last year. In comparison with the previous year it is an increase more than by a fifth.

Experts: State regulation of biofuels can complicate their development

Enthusiasm of world politicians for biofuels which should decrease dependency on fossil fuels, to reduce emission of harmful greenhouse gases, and to give new opportunities to farmers can represent a problem for development of the branch. “What is pulled by regulation it can be changed by the regulation anytime”, a representative of the European Bank for renewal and development Francois Lecavalier at a conference on biofuels in Prague.

Other Czech specialty obtained Union’s protection

Other Czech product was added in a list of food specialties to which the European Union affords protection. After Hořice tubules (hořické trubičky) also Karlsbad biscuits (karlovarský suchar) will be registered. In future only local producers from Karlsbad and surrounding will be allowed to bake this pastry. No objections against all-European registration of traditional pastry from West-Bohemian spa have been raised during a half-year term which expired on Tuesday. It was confirmed by a spokesman of the European commissioner for agriculture Michael Mann.

Source: Agris, 31.05.2007