Summary of newspapers of the previous day – 6. 10. 2011

Reaction of Union of Marginal Areas on withdrawal of Minister of Agriculture Ivan Fuksa

The Union of Marginal Areas (SMO) despite some achievements of the minister Ivan Fuksa on the international field has to state that generally over the time of his work in the function conditions for agricultural management in less favourable areas, which cover a half of territory of the Czech Republic, have changed for the worse. Representatives of the Union stated this at the last SMO member meeting. Although we perceive possible impacts of the withdrawal on a continuity of negotiations of the conditions within the EU, so, we overall expects a positive advancement to a better balance of the Ministry of Agriculture´s policy by strengthening its orientation on such an agriculture management which is conformable with natural conditions.

Pronouncement of Agricultural Union of CR

Although the Agricultural Union of the CR has objections to some steps in the ex-minister Ivan Fuksa´s work, at present we perceive his withdrawal as unlucky step. The actual priority of the agricultural department is an advocacy of Czech interests in a reform of the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU and the ex-minister Fuksa acquitted himself this activity well. Therefore, the situation will be more difficult for a new minister. However, we are fully aware of that the premier Nečas set up his right by this step and we hope that the new Minister of Agriculture will contribute not only to the preservation , but also development of CR agriculture, and first of all that he will actively join in protection of our national interests in the EU.

Klaus establishes Petr Bendl new minister of agriculture today

The president Václav Klaus names Petr Bendl (ODS) in the function of minister of agriculture today afternoon. A former Central-Bohemian hetman will replace in the cabinet the Ivan Fuksa (ODS) withdrawn on Tuesday. The name of new government member was confirmed to ČTK by a spokesman of the premier Petr Nečas on Wednesday evening. Bendl does not come in the government for the first time; he tried the function of minister already in 2009 when he stood at the head of transport department. The future minister of agriculture is a member of ODS since 1992 and he was the vice-chairman of the party in 2002-2010.

Veleba: Change of Minister of Agriculture can weaken CR position in EU

According to the president of Agrarian Chamber Jan Veleba, the change in the post of Minister of Agriculture came in the least suitable moment and can weaken position of the Czech Republic in a final negotiation about a form of key reform of the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU after 2013. Veleba said this to journalists today. The reform will determine the future extent of Union subsidies for Czech farmers. The new Minister of Agriculture is Petr Bendl, established today. He changed for the Minister of Agriculture Ivan Fuksa who was withdrawn by the President Václav Klaus by the premier Petr Nečas´s proposal this week.