LOWER HOUSE BEGINS DEBATE ON AGRICULTURE BILL

ZAGREB, Jan 25 (Hina) - Parliament's House of Representatives on Thursday began a debate on an agriculture bill which, for the first time, sets goals and measures in the agricultural policy and which, according to Minister Bozidar Pankretic, is a basic document providing conditions necessary for an agricultural reform. Among the bill's main goals are the promotion of effectiveness in the agriculture in view of making it more competitive on both the domestic and foreign markets, the provision of conditions which will make domestic products sufficient to feed the population, and stability in agricultural profit and food offer. Said goals should be achieved through measures of structural, land and market policy, said Minister Pankretic, adding the agricultural policy would be implemented according to a national programme. The bill envisages forming new institutions, for instance a chamber of agriculture, which should protect and represent the interests of agriculture-related businesses, and a management for market and structural support. The bill also regulates the entire agriculture which is of outstanding importance for the national economy, accounting for nine percent of the gross domestic product, said Pankretic. (hina) ha