The Agriculture Committee held its twenty-fourth session on 22 February. The session was chaired by Dr Zoran Masic, while officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry took part in the discussion.

The session discussed the report of the Ministry on measures intended to encourage the development of agricultural production. The Committee requested additional information on users of loans, as well as for which purposes the loans were granted.

The Plan of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry for 2005 was also discussed. Special attention was devoted to planned legislative initiatives.

The session also discussed the report of Lipaks LLC about the terms of selling farm machinery through leasing. It was resolved to send an official submission to the Ministry of Finance, suggesting possible amendments to the Act on the Budget which would foresee additional funds for acquiring farm machinery through leasing, while amendments to the Value Added Tax Bill should reduce the tax rate for farm machinery from 18 to 8 percent.