Dr Novica Mladenov of the Novi Sad Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops said that the low temperatures, sometimes reaching as little as -15 Celsius in January, would not affect the crops or have an impact on the harvest. Mladenov explained that the wheat winter preparation conditions were almost ideal and there is no cause for worry because germinating wheat is resistant to low temperatures because the plant is nourished by the seed, and it is at its most sensitive once it starts feeding from the root, but still, the plant can survive frost at that time as well. “If the growth knot is two centimetres below ground, then it is not endangered, the plant can regenerate and survive”, said Dr Mladenov. He also said that the risk for the crops would grow if the temperature were to rise sharply and the wheat started to germinate, and then drop again, which would destroy the plant. Speaking of other crops there should be no bigger damage, except maybe to oilseed rape as the plant’s vegetative cone is on the surface and an early sowing would not be good for that kind of plant.

Zeljko Radosevic, State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, said that the late harvest resulted in 10-12% less wheat being sown than last year, however more than 500,000 ha of wheat was sown and there is enough for export in storages, which are currently operating at full capacity due the river freeze. “Advisory services are following the condition of the crops and advising the farmers, and reports from the field are submitted at a weekly rate”, said Radosevic, adding that low temperatures would not affect the crops.

The sitting also touched on situation in the field, inspections working on seed control and utilization of the scientific potential at the country’s disposal.

Following a discussion, the Committee members adopted a Conclusion stating that it is their estimate that there is no danger or damage to the autumn crops and recommended nourishment and cultivation of the crops to achieve maximum yield.

Under any other business the Committee members agreed that one of the coming sittings should focus on the insurance contracts, not to accept partial but go for total damage compensation per all the measures within Serbia’s agrarian and rural policy, and on the protection of beekeeping in Serbia.

The sitting was chaired by Committee Chairman Marijan Risticevic, and attended by the following Committee members and deputy members: Goran Bogdanovic, Zarko Bogatinovic, Dragan Jovanovic, Veroljub Matic, Radovan Jancic, Prof. Dr Miladin Sevarlic, Milija Miletic, Tijana Davidovac, Zvonimir Djokic, MA Marko Milenkovic and Arpad Fremond.