The Riigikogu passed with 81 votes in favour the Act on Amendments to the Feedingstuffs Act and Associated Acts (777 SE), initiated by the Government, which brings the requirements for the placing on the market and use of feed into conformity with the relevant EU Regulation and establishes clear requirements for labelling different feeds. It also provides a regulation for exercising supervision over feed of non-animal origin which is imported and for which there may be an increased risk of contamination. For that purpose, an amendment has been made in the Act according to which improved import control will be exercised over feed for which there may be an increased risk of contamination either at a border inspection post or at a place of exercise of supervision over feed imported. In addition, feed experts are included in the composition of the novel food committee formed on the basis of the Food Act because members of the novel food committee have to provide assessments on the safety of products produced of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and products containing GMOs or consisting thereof that are recommended for use as food and feed.

 

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the Financial Management of Local Government Bill (366 SE), initiated by the Government. The Bill updates budget organisation of local governments. It also harmonises the principles of financial accounting and establishes the regulation of accrual budgeting. The Bill restricts taking of loans by local governments. It provides that the net debt burden may amount up to 60 per cent of the income from principal activity of the respective accounting year. The Bill also establishes the permitted value of total net gain of local governments and provides that it must be zero or positive as at the end of the accounting year.

 

The Estonian Centre Party Faction moved to suspend the second reading. The motion was not supported. The result of voting: 27 votes in favour, 37 against.

 

At Question Time, the Minister of Education and Research Tõnis Lukas in the capacity of Prime Minister answered the question about study programmes, submitted by Evelyn Sepp, and the question about higher education, submitted by Nikolai Põdramägi. The Minister of Agriculture Helir-Valdor Seeder answered the question about liquidation of unemployment in rural areas, submitted by Mark Soosaar, and the question about price rises, submitted by Arvo Sarapuu. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet answered the question about cooperation with Afghanistan, submitted by Toivo Tootsen.

 

The Riigikogu Press Service