Speech of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Mirek Topolánek on the Occasion of "Farm of the Year" Award on 19th December 2007

You know that I come very often to see you. And it is nice to come to meet you. We know each other well. We know each other so well that I could be silent instead of giving my speech, as I think that we understand each other without speaking. Nevertheless, I should say something, should not I? I will use this opportunity and I will present a short reflection on the relations of agriculture and subsidies, on private enterprising and paternalism. Prices of food are rising and the rise will continue in the next year, too, in spite of the fact that protectionists do their best to stop it – or prices are rising just because they are doing so. All of us remember that the socialism causes only inequity and deficiency. Subsidized food before November 1989 was not very cheap and they were also shortage, in the end. Such a drastic scenario does not threaten us. Nevertheless, it is shown clearly how harmful the European agricultural policy is, a socialist policy, I add. What are its declared objectives? Abundance of cheap food. That sounds like a taunt. How is it operating nowadays? The European Union protects its market from imports. It spends two thirds of its budget for agricultural subsidies. And it gives massive bonuses for exports of oversupplies. Here the circle is closing. We protect from cheap imports. We support ineffective and expensive production. And in the end we pay third countries for their purchase of our expensive milk for little money... Do not you think it is absurd?
If I am to be a bit cynical, I would add that we, inhabitants of the Czech Republic profit nothing from that circus. The Common Agricultural Policy is unjust to farmers of new countries. Thus, Czech farmers must cope with more subsidized competition of old countries. On the other hand global impacts are present at our open market and that is why butter costs 40 crowns instead of 25 crowns. So, they are Czech consumers who are losers. We pay two times for our food. It resembles me that well-known quotation from a short story by gentlemen Šimek and Grossman: "I do not want that price reduction gratis..." Excuse my digression from the topic. But it was not quite so. We are here today because of the competition "Farm of the Year". We are here to award those who have traditionally good relations to the land; those who will always cultivate it under all circumstances, even without subsidies. I thank you for that attitude. You are an island of a positive deviation in the sea of absurdity. You are our hope that one day we will return to normal conditions. I will not keep much of your time now; let time is enough for those this evening is designed for – for the best farmers of the year.