Summary of newspapers of the previous day –12. 3. 2009

Gandalovič: Uneven conditions between new and old countries are given by 2013

“The government helps farmers to surmount a difficult period but uneven conditions negotiated by former governments are given by 2013”, the Minister of Agriculture Petr Gandalovič said to protesting farmers today. The Minister met protesting farmers and finally together with the Euro-commissioner Mariann Fisher Boel he received them and heard out their requirements. “I agree on that the uneven conditions among new and old countries are unfair, nevertheless, we can not to move this affair by the year 2013”, the Minister Gandalovič added, “farmers should have protest five years ago when our predecessors negotiated the accession conditions.

Speech of AK ČR president Jan Veleba at demonstration

Good morning, friends for remote Lithuania, good morning, brothers Slovaks, good morning, neighbours Poles, good morning, friends Hungarian, good morning, neighbours farmers, friends from Austria, good morning, neighbours farmers, friends from Germany, good morning Czechs, Moravians and Silesians! Less than 5 years have elapsed since our accession into the EU. Since the accession, which we, Czech farmers, supported. Supported, but fared off badly in further development. We did not suspect at the time what conditions signed by then premier Špidla would do with us.

Farmers: Money from government can significantly help with spending credit

Already at the of 2,6 billion crowns allotted for them by the government. The Minister of Gandalovič promised it during his visit in České Budějovice yesterday. The money should support guarantee of operational credit of basic industry producers and processors. The subsidies will go from the Subsidiary and Guarantee Rural and Forestry Fund. The Private Farmers Association (ASZ ČR) welcomes the government´s step. “It can significantly help mainly in spending operational credits. Nowasays, every help is good. The spring is coming and farmers need to invest much in fields”, a vice-chairman of the Association Václav Perník stated.

Demonstrationists in front of hotel Marriott poured milk and cereals

Demonstrating farmers poured 50 liters of milk and 200 kilogram cereals in front of a hotel Marriott in Prague center today. The street in front of the luxury hotel which hosts a conference with participation of the Euro-commissioner for agriculture Mariann Fisher Boel is bestrewed with milk pools and a layer of cereals. Now a briefing of the commissioner Fisher Boel and the Minister of Agriculture Petr Gandlovič take s place. Several demonstrationists succeeded to penetrate in a passage bordering upon Marriott. However, the hotels guard, escorted them out. Thousands of farmers from several European countries participated in the demonstration.