Monitor: Takac: Slovakia Preparing Drought Compensation for Farmers

(STVR, 'Sobotne dialogy', 30 May) The Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry is preparing compensation measures for farmers affected by drought, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) declared on STVR's politics programme 'Sobotne dialogy' (Saturday Dialogues). Takac was debating with MP Ivan Stefanek of Progressive Slovakia (PS), who criticised the ministry for not being adequately prepared for crises in advance. According to Takac, funding from the reserve fund is being considered for compensating farmers. "We have asked the European Commission for these financial resources, but we must wait until we can quantify the damage. Then, of course, we can provide compensation and also contribute co-financing from the state budget, so it may be a combination of these two funding sources," he said, adding that the ministry is preparing mechanisms to distribute the funds. Stefanek argued that such mechanisms could already have been prepared. Takac insisted that financing through the Agricultural Payment Agency (PPA) for farmers, food producers and foresters is not in jeopardy, a view with which Stefanek agreed. Takac described claims that the agency will be placed under conditional accreditation by June at the latest as false reports. Stefanek stated that while Takac's ministry was dealing with the European Commission over six flawed projects, it was not addressing staffing issues highlighted by the Commission. Stefanek, who serves as a vice-chair of PS, said he was satisfied with the performance of the party's leader, Michal Simecka. He also commented on the possible joining of opposition forces. "Progressive Slovakia will seek to ensure that no opposition vote is wasted, and our efforts to bring opposition parties together stem from that. There's a year and a half until the election, so we'll see how it plays out. We're not saying it is 100 percent certain," he said. According to Stefanek, the aim is to bring about a change of government in Slovakia. Takac said Smer-SD will contest the election independently and that he's convinced the party will win. The politicians also commented on current political issues. Takac, who is a vice-chair of Smer-SD, criticised coalition partners for publicly presenting their demands for the next state budget without first reaching agreement within the coalition. He was reacting, for instance, to a statement by Interior Minister and Voice-SD chair Matus Sutaj Estok, who said his party will not approve next year's budget without higher salaries for police officers. Takac also said he was convinced that the current government will leave public finances in a better condition than it had inherited them. mf