CROATIAN HOUSE OF COUNTIES' DEBATE ON AGRICULTURE

( Editorial: --> 6171 ) ZAGREB, Oct (Hina) - The Croatian Sabor (Parliament), House of Counties on Tuesday continued its session which commenced September 22. At the opening of today's session the House began a debate on the agriculture. Reports on the state of the agriculture were submitted by the Government and House of Representatives MP's from the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS). In an almost hour-long introduction, Agricultural and Forestry Minister Zlatko Dominikovic emphasised that the past year saw a series of positive steps forward. The state had directed about US$410 million towards the agricultural sector which is evidence enough of our attention and care for that particular sector said Dominikovic. He said that some 15 companies from the agricultural, food and wood industries had been successfully recovered which saved about 10,000 jobs. Renewal of agricultural machinery in the past two years saw investments of about US$151 million. Import of agricultural products are being decreased and motivating resources are being increased, said the Agricultural Minister. Speaking on behalf of the Croatian Peasants' Party, MP Zlatko Tomcic was very critical towards the government's agrarian politics. The farmer and family economies (farms) are being neglected, said Tomcic. He emphasised that about one and a half million Croatian residents lived or were directly tied to agriculture. He said that stock breeding had been drastically decreased while Croatia only produced enough wheat, corn, wine, grapes, poultry, olives for its own needs. Tomcic warned that the founding agricultural document - Strategic Development of the Agriculture - was not being implemented and he therefore demanded a clear review of the situation to be conducted by the government as well as a package of measures how to resolve the difficult circumstances in today's agriculture. The Peasants' party head recommended that short-term and long-term balances of agricultural products should be determined. He further recommended the formation of an association to be a forum for discussions with the government. (Hina) sp jn 061511 MET oct 98