PLANT PROTECTION ON THE BRINK OF BANKRUPTCY

The leaders of the Central Service of Plant- and Soil Protection request an extension of time of the services as they have been unable to pay their electricity and phone bills and the wages of the security firm protecting the building for months.

They are indebted to the firms servicing their cars and they cannot get fuel by their cards. Imre Lánszki, deputy director general of the Service said about HUF 700 million were missing for their operation and on top of it they would have to make a profit of HUF two billion by the end of this year but there was no chance for it because their income fell heavily after the EU-accession of Hungary. Two years ago a government edict decided to employ 160 new workers but in fact by the end of this month 96 employees must be dismissed. The Service has also taken part in the two-day action of State Public Health Office to check food imported to Hungary. The survey has stated that most of the food in Hungary is safe and corresponds to the EU regulations but they have also found minor irregularities. The main problem is the faulty dfescription of articles and there are several articles found over guarantee.

Translated by Péter Szentmihályi-Szabó