Summary of newspapers of the previous days – 28. 5. - 31.5. 2009

International research of ecological risks of genetically modified crops

Employees of the Agency for Agricultural Research of American Ministry of Agriculture play a dominance in studies which evaluate whether genetically modified crops represents any threats for surrounding eco-systems. Scientists and work collectives from a research organization Agricultural Research Service and a staff are the main players in studies which evaluate whether genetically modified crops represents any threats for surrounding eco-systems. Till this time results have shown only insignificant risks connected with these crops. However, new approaches, which would support an evaluation of consistent risks of use of GM crops all over the world, are though essential.

Possibility to dispossess land is chance for polder building

Till this time, building of flood-protection measures have attached to property-law settlement. After an adoption of water law novel, this problem sh ould be removed. It enables in case of disagreement with lands owners their expropriation, similarly as it is stated in the building act. “A complete novelty is a possibility to build polders, whereas an owner of land could still farm in them. In case of a flood the state would guarantee a refund of damage, which would be caused in a crop or its full devaluation”, Pavel Punčochář, a head-manager of the department of water management of the Ministry of Agriculture of the ČR told.

Europe has to protect more its natural wealthy

“Europe should be proud of last remains of “wild” nature and also to protect them effectively. It is a substantial part of our common wealth and our identity”, Czech Minister of Environment Ladislav Miko told at a conference on natural and nature close areas which took place on the 27th to 28th of May in Prague. With participation of an important guest, a former ČR president Václav Havel, Czech presidency together with the European Commission opened a discussion about the necessity of protection of natural and nature close areas – territories where human intervention are not perceptible, but also such which were significantly changes by human activity, however, now they are left to natural development.

Breeders kill pigs, they will not pay off

We end with pig meat production; we have sent pig to a slaughter. These are words of some breeders from Olomouc region. Inconvenient conditions on the pig meat market in last years and badly adjusted subsidies caused that farmers either reduce a number of pigs or liquidate raisings completely. Over the last year, the number of pigs in Olomouc region decreased by 23 percents. Nevertheless, specialists assert that breeders can not right invest. At present, pig meat prices move in acceptable limits, however, farmers still fight with impacts of the foregoing period.