Summary of newsmakers of the previous day – 12.6.2008

Conference FAO on multifunctional agriculture

Delegates of a FAO conference on multifunctional agriculture agreed on a necessity to increase investments in agriculture and support of local food production. The paramount conference of the organization FAO on crisis in food production ended by approval of a common declaration. Swiss delegation required progressive opening of agrarian markets with fair conditions for developing countries, a support of research, and innovation of base of food production oriented on future of this branch, a more significant focus on local, sustainable, and multifunctional agriculture.

Farmers warn: Milk prices will grow

Farmers warn: Milk prices will grow. “A situation in milk sector in the all European Union got on a critical border these days and there is a danger of collapse of the entire branch”, Marcela Pokorná on behalf of the Regional Agrarian Chamber Blansko said. According to her the whole crisis started in Germany. However, a similar situation is also in the Czech Republic. “A reason for strikes and protests which touched also our farmers is a press of trade chains on a milk price and price of milk products”, Pokorná specified. The present buy-out price of milk does not cover even simple costs for its production.

Dangerous foods from flea-markets are still “in”

They cost by as much as a half less but people who will buy them risk their health. It is spoken about food bought on Prague market places. Only in recent weeks inspectors of the Czech Agricultural and Food Inspection (ČZPI) forbid to sell a half ton of foods. It was dealt above all with various kinds of confectionaries, yoghurts, creamy creams, cocoa powder and fish. “We found for example smoked fish which should be stored up to five degree Celsius whereas our inspectors measured on the place about 13 degrees. Other trespasses of stall-keepers are for example often occurrence of goods which was not label in Czech language, and foods with outdated expiration.

Give attention to recommended dosage

Asian foods gain still more popularity among Czech consumers. Businessmen react to the increased demand and so also a number of shops specializing on sale of Asian foods grows. As findings of the State Agricultural and Food Inspection show, consumers of these foods should pay much bigger attention to information on package, especially to a recommended ways of use and dosage. SZPI inspectors took several samples of dried sea-weed in which content of iodine was examined. The European Food Safety Authority states 600 micrograms of iodine daily as a maximal recommended dosage.