"30% of direct payments can be estimated as the green component, obligatory for the recipient of the payment," claims the Slovenian Minister of Agriculture, and emphasizes that Slovenia is not suitable for extremely intensive production due to its terrain. "But we would like to substantially increase ecological production. Therefore the amount of funds has been raised to 60 million euros, a transition period was introduced, and a directive on »green« public procurement prescribing that a part of such must come from ecological, or »conversional« production," Židan explains.

He replies to the reproach that the agricultural legislation is often too bureaucratic, and causes more problems than benefits to the farmers: "I agree that it is administratively complicated, but it is also true that the most complicated are voluntary measures which however do bring quite some money to farms." He continues: "We are now reducing the quantity of paper work required. In a couple of days the Decree on Supplementary Activities will be given into public debate."

With April 1 the milk quota will be abandoned, which is raising fear among farmers and processors. Židan assures that we are ready. Already on January 1 the obligatory system of contractual cooperation within the milk supply chain was introduced, as "foreign experiences show that that stabilizes the sector", and production binding of hill-mountain dairy farms which are exposed to largest risk, as one half of farms producing raw milk belong to that group.

They are also aiding in opening third markets: "We are familiar with successful activities with China, and Slovenian dairies have big plans in that field." They are also encouraging domestic consumers towards purchasing domestic products, and increase the share of the local food in public institutes.

Židan agrees that the sale of Slovenian food-processing companies is a mistake: "But at times I am the only one of such opinion. The voices get raised after such a sale, but when a decision has to be made, e.g. when voting is required, I/we too often remain alone."

Tanja Kozorog Blatnik
Translated by G. K.