NEWS

Prime Minister Pahor meets representatives of agricultural sector

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, together with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, MSc Dejan Židan, and the Minister of Finance, Dr Franc Križanič, toady held a meeting with representatives of the agricultural sector. They focused primarily on a draft amendment to the Agricultural Land Act and agreed to send it for interministerial coordination; the draft is expected to be discussed by the Government in mid-November.

 

(Photo: Tamino Petelinšek/SPA)

 

After the meeting, Prime Minister Pahor said that besides pension and health reform, agricultural reform would rank among the most important projects this autumn.  "By making basic structural decisions, reform aims at ensuring that people engaged in land-based livelihood or other activities related to agriculture and people engaged in industry, science, culture, service and other activities enjoy equal quality of life," said the Prime Minister. The agricultural sector accounts for a small share of Slovenia's gross domestic product; nevertheless, its multiplying effects are very important to Slovenian identity. "Therefore, rural areas and agriculture as economic activity are of priority concern to this Government," added Prime Minister Pahor. One of the conclusions of today's meeting was that all participants would meet four times a year in the same composition.

 

The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Dejan Židan, explained that the draft amendment to the Act provides for reclassification of agricultural land, namely to permanently protected agricultural land of approximately 150,000 to 200,000 hectares and to other agricultural land. The amended Act will also ensure a new source of financing "enabling agricultural operations and purchase of land and forests where this would be of interest to Slovenia," said minister Židan.