At its fortieth session, held on 31 January, the Agriculture Committee discussed the Note of the Agriculture Committee Working Group on its visit to flood-stricken areas in the Jablanica and Nisava districts, made on 16 and 17 January 2006, as well as the Report of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management on measures taken to protect agricultural land from flooding and damage through subterranean water.
Having discussed the Note and the Report, the Committee endorsed both documents, and resolved to ask the Ministry for its operational plan for protection from natural disasters for 2006, when adopted, and the programme of measures implemented in 2004 and 2005. The Committee also requested the Government’s Natural Disaster Damage Compensation Commission for a report on funds paid out and oversight of such funds. The Committee also concluded that it was essential to define powers of Srbijavode, the national water management company, and Vode Vojvodine, a similar company for the territory of Vojvodina, as well as to ensure such powers are carried out in accordance with law.
The Committee requested the Republic Water Directorate to provide a report on dredging, as well as on the manner of issuing dredging permits and oversight over dredging work.

The sitting was chaired by the Committee’s chairman, Dr Zoran Masic.