The Institute for Politics and Society is organizing another series of debates with Deputy Pavel Sramek of Czech agriculture.
Opinions on the importance of food sovereignty and its healthy level varies. While proponents of the liberal approach argue that the degree of self-sufficiency does not matter, others argue that it is one of the strategic indicators. The most frequently stated level is that self-sufficiency in key commodities should not fall below 80%.
Achieving food self-sufficiency of the state in key commodities in the field of agriculture and food is one of the priorities for the current government coalition. Czech food self-sufficiency rapidly decreased since 1990, but the decline partially stopped in the past two years, and the situation has improved with the new government. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, one of the reasons for this is patriotic Czech shopping habits. Conversely, there is significantly decreasing self-sufficiency in the Czech fruits and vegetables.
How is the Czech Republic coping with food self-sufficiency? Is there a reason for concern? How is the relationship of Czech consumers to quality fresh foods, fruits, vegetables and dairy products? Does cattle and livestock production affect overall food self-sufficiency?
You can discuss these topics with representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Chamber of Deputies, representatives of non-governmental organizations, agricultural and real farmers:
Pavel Sramek, co-owner of the farm Milknatur, deputy movement ANO
Miroslav Toman, President of the Agrarian Chamber of the Czech Republic
George Šír, deputy director for management Section commodities research and consulting, Ministry of Agriculture
Josef Stehlik, chairman of the Association of Private Agriculture CR
Louis Martin, chairman of Fruit Union of the Czech Republic, Z.S.
Jiri Hrbek, Director of the Statistics Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Environmental CSO
The debate will be held on March 17, 2016 from 16:00 in the Chamber of Deputies, State Files room (Sněmovní 4, Prague). The debate takes place under the auspices of Deputy Pavel Sramek, Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee on food, veterinary activities and livestock production, who will moderate the debate. The debate will be in Czech and admission is free.