FARMERS' PROTESTS ARE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED - GOVERNMENT

ZAGREB, Oct 21 (Hina) - There is no dispute between the Croatian Government and farmers and their associations. The latest protests of farmers were politically motivated to the advantage of one political party, Premier Zlatko Matesa told a Government session on Thursday. During a debate on the situation in agriculture and negotiations with farmers' associations, Agriculture Minister Ivan Djurkic said that "it is not true that incentives are not being paid". "The Ministry has paid all claims for the period July-September", he added. Djurkic said that of the 972.3 million kuna (US$138.9 million) envisaged in the budget for agricultural stimulation and incentives, 707 million kuna (US$101 million) were paid on October 12 inclusive, which is 59 million kuna (US$8.4 million) more than should have been paid by that date. So far, the autumn sowing has been carried out on 60.6 per cent of planned areas. It is estimated that the timely adopted operational plan and good weather will enable the completion of sowing by November 10. Economy Minister Nenad Porges said that 131,267 tonnes of wheat had been purchased at the average price of 1.006 kuna per kilo (US$0.14) in line with an agreement between the Croatian Farmers' Association and the Ministry. More than 101 million kuna (US$14.4 million) were transferred to the bank accounts of 20,372 farmers by October 15 inclusive, Porges said, adding information on the alleged non- payment of claims was false. Members of the Government agreed that the protests, which were being encouraged by the Croatian Farmers' Association, were aimed at gaining political advantage ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. The Government today also adopted a decision cancelling customs duties on the import of bone-free beef, fresh or refrigerated tomato, peppers, and seed wheat. (hina) jn rml