Summary of newspapers of the previous day – 6. 10. 2010

Cereals prices still grow on corn-exchange

Cereals prices on the corn-exchange in Brno still grow. The price increase is already only in ones of percents. The most increase was recorded in rye price by 242 crowns per tonne and in fodder barley by 187 crowns per tonne. Both these crop-plants rose in price roughly by five percents. Rye in case that a buyer pays transport costs 4476 crowns per tonnes; fodder barley 3488. ČTK was told it by a general secretary of the exchange Karel Zezula. Food wheat rose in price by 168 crowns per tonnes in recent two weeks and it is sold for 4820 CZK including transport. “A check of quality of harvested cereals gives an answer to a question what are the appropriate prices”, Karel Zezula said to ČTK.

Twenty countries convulse with long-term food crisis

Twenty two countries are exposed to a long-term food crisis, some of them already for three decades. The UNO Food and Agriculture Organization drew attention to this fact in its report. In countries where the crisis reigns permanently, there is three times higher share of undernourished people than in other developing countries. In total, 166 millions of them live in long-term problematic countries. “We reckon that 22 countries face a long-term crisis now which manifests itself by following features: repeated natural disasters or conflicts”, FAO described. For example Afghanistan, Somalia and Sudan experience a permanent crisis already from 80´s, so almost for thirty years.

Government approved law changes owing to check of imported fish

The government approved amendment of customs law and the law on fishery which should secure a control of imported sea fish. The premiere Petr Nečas informed about it at a press conference after the government meeting. The check whether fish do not come from illegal or non-reported fishing should be carried out by customs service. An aim of the change is also to harmonize Czech laws with the EU law. “In frame with consultations with the Ministry of Agriculture, a need to subdue and remove an illegal, non-reported and unregulated fishing was identified.”

SOS: Packaged salamis often contain harmful additives

Packaged salamis sold on the domestic market often contain additives, so called Es which can harm to health. It results from a survey of the Consumer Protection Association which will be published in October issue of consumer journal SOS magazine. ČTK was told it by a spokesman of SOS Jan Votočka. Additives, for example, improve appearance of foods, prolong their life, or decrease their energy value. According to Votočka, 23 packaged salamis were included in the survey. “Results are really alarming. Already the fact that except the only products all contain one or more additives is startling.