Summary of newspapers of the previous day – 20. 5. 2009

Šebesta will endeavour so that state would maintain evening-up of direct payments

The Minister of Agriculture Jakub Šebesta will endeavour so that the state would maintain evening-up of direct payments from the EU for Czech farmers in following year on a maximal possible level. A spokesman of the ministry Petr Vorlíček said it to ČTK. The Ministry of Finances in an effort to slow down a growth of deficit in the state budget planned for the future to cancel national evening-up of direct payments. So, farmers would forfeit 4,7 billion yearly in next two years which they dislike. Representatives of the Agrarian Chamber and the Agricultural Union of the CR objected to the intention of the Ministry of Finances.

Are bio-foods really healthier?

A regular bulletin of the organization Food Quality & Health summarizes scientific knowledge concerning laboratory investigation of health impacts of bio-production. A health benefit is usually one of the main motives of bio-food purchase. Nevertheless, if we look for an answer to a question whether bio-foods are really healthier, we will find that the answer is not completely obvious. On the other hand, there are more and more scientific results in this branch. What is the research state at the beginning of 2009? Two kinds of researches are now disposable.

SZPI did not admit delivery of almonds from USA on market

The State Agricultural and Food Inspection (SZPI) in cooperation with the Custom Office in Prague withhold a delivery of almonds originating from the USA. A reason is fivefold exceeding of a limit for aflatoxins content. The delivery with a total weight 9,5 tons contained 420 cartons of natural almonds without shell. On base of laboratory results SZPI sent the Custom Office a binding position not to let this delivery in a free circulation on the CR territory. An importer can return it to its supplier now or it has to damage it. At the same time, information on the delivery was sent for information to other EU member states by means of the Rapid Alert System for Foods and Feeds (RASFF).

Growers Association: Acreage of fields with caraway is similar as last year

An acreage of fields with caraway in the Czech Republic moves this year at the last year´s level 1830 hectares. According to a presumption of an association Czech Caraway, a domestic production of this spice will increase a bit next year thanks to good buy-out prices. A chairman of the association Josef Kameník said it to ČTK today. Consumers will find Czech caraway on shop shelves also with a new trademark. Conditions for use of a protected geographical marking Czech caraway, which was negotiated in the European Union year ago, meanwhile two tens of growers have already fulfilled.