ZAGREB, June 16 (Hina) - Damage on crops from this year's long drought in 14 Croatian counties will most probably be greater than initially estimated, i.e. at 1.23 billion kuna, which is why the agriculture ministry will forward to
the government a bill on extraordinary measures for removing the consequences of the 2003 drought, Minister Bozidar Pankretic said at Monday's session of a commission on drought. The meeting was attended by some dozen county prefects.
ZAGREB, June 16 (Hina) - Damage on crops from this year's long
drought in 14 Croatian counties will most probably be greater than
initially estimated, i.e. at 1.23 billion kuna, which is why the
agriculture ministry will forward to the government a bill on
extraordinary measures for removing the consequences of the 2003
drought, Minister Bozidar Pankretic said at Monday's session of a
commission on drought. The meeting was attended by some dozen
county prefects. #L#
The bill has already been defined and by re-allocating its funds the
ministry is prepared to set aside 200 million kuna (EUR27 million)
for its implementation, said Pankretic.
He expects the finance ministry, with which consultations are
ongoing, and later the government, to endorse the bill and
designate maximum possible funds for its application.
Pankretic stressed damages would not be symbolic as in past years,
but would cover a certain amount of estimated harm. However, even
this will not be sufficient as damage will still increase for corn,
fruit and vegetables, he added.
The minister said all county offices had been sent forms for the
payment of autumn crops subsidies which will be given out at the
same pace at which applications are returned from the field, by the
end of July at the latest.
Pankretic informed the county prefects about this year's draft
model of purchase of wheat which the government should consider
this week. According to the model, the minimum price of buying wheat
will be one kuna per kilogram.
(hina) lml