ZAGREB, June 15 (Hina) - The Croatian government has drawn up a final version of the bill on strategic commodity stockpiles, envisaging that buffer stocks might be used exclusively for the provision of basic supplies for citizens in
cases of war and huge natural or ecological disasters.
ZAGREB, June 15 (Hina) - The Croatian government has drawn up a
final version of the bill on strategic commodity stockpiles,
envisaging that buffer stocks might be used exclusively for the
provision of basic supplies for citizens in cases of war and huge
natural or ecological disasters. #L#
They could not be used for the removal of the disorder or
instability on the market, the government says.
The stockpiles could be used as urgent humanitarian aid shipped to
disaster-hit foreign countries and to countries where Croatian
forces take part in peace or humanitarian operations.
The commodity stockpiles would comprise basic agricultural produce
and food such as wheat, meat, cans, sugar, honey, canned vegetable
and baby food.
There will be petroleum products and construction material as
well.
Around 600,000 million kuna (82 million euro) should be ensured for
providing the strategic stockpiles in the coming five years. The
financial means will be obtained from the government's budget, the
rent of warehouses and a surplus from the management of commodity
stockpiles in previous years.
The government, which would be in charge of the stocks, should
submit annual reports to the parliament on the matter. It should
also plan a stock balance including the sorts, quantities and
storage of goods, which would be a state secret.
The state administration for commodity stockpiles would be
separated from the Economy Ministry and become an independent unit
whose duties and organisations are to be regulated by an additional
law.
The parliament is to set up a body for the control over the
management of stockpiles. That body - a council for commodity
stockpiles - would include three members of parliament and two
eminent economic experts.
(hina) ms