The Slovak Chamber of Agriculture and Food (SPPK) has requested emergency aid from the government and increased subsidy allocations from the European Union after a sustained drought and falling market prices this season.
The SPPK warns that Slovak farmers are facing a Sk6 billion (€142 million) loss in revenues, and that some of its members may face bankruptcy.
The organisation has asked the EU to increase subsidies, available when Slovakia joins the European Union in May 2004, to 55 percent of those offered to farmers in existing member countries. The current proposal is for 45 percent.
Compiled by Beata Balogová from press reports
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