Summary of newspapers of the previous days – 9.-11.12.2011

Czech scientists: Genetically modified crops do not affect biodiverzity

Genetically modified corn is not ecological menace, but on the contrary a chance for improvement of the environment where it has been damaged by a long-term use of chemicals. It is a result of experiments made by a team of the Biology Centre of Academy Science in České Budějovice under the direction of Oxana Habuštová. The findings are consistent with conclusions of former researches of the South-Bohemian team with different genetically modified corn and with results of foreign studies. The contribution of genetically modified plants is also decrease of occurrence of fungal infections which are spread on plants by insect pests and which are a resource of mycotoxins dangerous for domestic animals and people.

NP Šumava introduces new wood sale system

The Administration of the National Park Šumava prepares a new system of sale of wood from local forests from the next year. It should support processing industry in the region; to exclude unfair businessmen, and to react market-lively to price offers from particular persons interested in wood from Šumava. ČTK was informed about it by a spokesman of the Administration Pavel Pechoušek. The interested persons will have to fill out a registration form at first and to send it by post or to deliver in person in business department of the Administration of the NP Šumava. “Subsequently, they will be registered on our web sites; we will enable them an access in our system, and we will close a framework purchasing contract for 2012”, the director of Administration of the National Park, Jan Stráský, told.

November index of agrarian commodities strengthened

The agricultural commodity price index in Germany increased against October by 1.5 to 139.5 percent points. The price index of 13 the most important agrarian commodities strengthened by 1.5 percent point on November. Falling cereal prices were richly compensated by growing prices of agricultural producers in slaughter pigs and cattle. With the value 139.5 percent point in a long-term comparison, prices of agrarian commodities still remain high. Also in comparison with the foregoing year the index is higher by 9.5 points, resp. by 7.3 %. Against October, rates mainly in slaughter pigs increased (+ 4.5 %) because pig meat was exported in the third countries thanks to excellent export opportunities under easy terms.

Czech Republic will belong among countries with the highest food taxation in Europe

The VAT increase from the 1st January 2012 will place the Czech Republic among countries having the highest food taxation in Europe. In most EU countries the unified VAT rate is not used for all and for selected sensitive groups of goods decreased tariffs are used. Starting from 2012 the reduced rate will increase in our republic from 10 to 14 %. While the government representatives persuade us that the VAT increase will not completely project in the food price, businessmen have already approached to rise in food price in advance so that a jump rise in prices will not happen from the beginning of the next year and so that they would take advantage of pre-Christmas shopping.