Summary of newspapers of the previous days – 16.11. – 17.11.2011

According to Danish scientists, cheeses are reputedly better than butter for human health

For long years doctors and nutrition specialists used to suggest people to avoid animal fat and watch cholesterol. However now, Danish researchers came with a fact that cheeses should not be so bad in this respect and maybe they should not be ranked in the same column with butter, the agency Reuters wrote. Scientists found out that people who take a portion of cheese daily in six-week interval had a lower indicator of cholesterol LDL, so called “bad” cholesterol, than in consummation of a comparable amount of butter. And, a higher level of cholesterol did not appear in cheese- eaters nor in a comparison with a usual menu; a team led by Julia Hjerpsted pointed out in a journal American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Higher DPH in foods favours substitutes

Trade chains push their supplier to areal reduction of food prices. They want to prevent so that final prices rise from January owing to a higher VAT rate. Just in these days, a form of agreements between producers and sellers for the next year is negotiated. None of the parties wants to comment the negotiation; however, the Food Chamber is already heard. It warns that producers face a huge pressure this year. “Chains wants our members areal ten-percent discounts for all assortment”, a spokeswoman of the Chamber Dana Večeřová describes. Such discounts would enable sellers to absorb the January increase in value added tax from ten to fourteen percents without difficulties and to protect consumers before rise in prices.

Agri-environmental EU policy by critical eye of auditors

Approximately 2.5 milliards EUR from the EU budget flow annually for agri-environmental policy. The European Court of Auditors found out whether this policy is set up and managed well and whether the expounded means have concrete contributions for the environment. The auditors came to a conclusion that since the first introduction of the policy a significant progress had been achieved. However, at the same time they identified many problems which decrease the positive impact of agri-environmental measures. The measures for protection of the environment were included in the CAP for the first time in 1987. Originally they were optional for the member states; they are obligatory only since 1992. At present the agri-environmental payments are regarding a financial volume the biggest measure for realization of the rural development policy.

Statement “without genetic modifications”

In the Permanent Committee for Food it is negotiated whether harmonized rules for marking of products by statement “without GM” should be created. Many EU member states - whether they are for or against GM-crops growing - asked at a meeting of the Permanent Committee for Food on the 22nd September so that harmonized rules were determined for introduction of statement “without GM”. This question arose within negotiation about national rules regarding marking “without GM” A proposal of France distinguishes products of plant and animal origin and includes also bee-products. Specific rules should exist for every kind of products. The proposal should be commented by the end of 2011.