Summary of newspapers of the previous day – 18.11. 2008

Organic farming is already in eight percents of agricultural land

From actual statistical data of organic farming to the end of October it results that dynamic development of organic farming and production of bio-foods continues. A number of organic farmers has already exceeded 1800; organic farming is already in almost eight percents of agricultural land; bio-foods are produced n 410 places. At the end of October 2008 1802 agricultural enterprises farmed organically in the Czech Republic, it is by almost 500 farms more against last year; a number of bio-food producers increased from last year´s 253 to 410 which means increase by 62 %.

State prepares million-strong actions against forest firms

At least three private forest firms are in danger of legal proceedings in a value of many million crowns. Jiří Černík, a production director of the state enterprise Lesy ČR confirmed it to HN. It can endanger also an existence of some companies. They are already reducing staff on a mass scale. “Meanwhile in eight cases the firms did not fulfill conditions of contracts which they had closed for forestry works. Therefore we will enforce compensations. Unless we will come to an agreement, we will have to approach to legal proceedings”, Černík explained. “Companies tax us now that owing to their difficulties with performance of contracts their employees do not get paid”.

EU lost share in world milk production

Henceforward, the European Union remains the biggest milk producer, however, its share in the total world production has decreased. According to estimation in 2007 the world milk production climbed on 670 million tons which was by six percents more against 2000. The biggest producer in an international comparison is still the European Union. However, in contrast to most other regions milk production in the EU did not increase last year. At the end of passed millennium every fourth liter of produced milk was drawn in the EU, nevertheless, in 2007 it was only every fifth liter of milk.

Who can capitalize on financial crisis? Farmers

If reactions to the current economic crisis are similar as in former past, farmers – as one of the few of entrepreneurial groups – should capitalize on this situation. It is for example opinion of a deputy of the Institute of Agricultural and Economic Information and a former first deputy minister of Agriculture Tomá š Doucha. “Some positive consequences show themselves for farmers already now. For example reduction of employees from some industrial branches improves conditions for a selection of superior people in agriculture”, Doucha states.