Final Word from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

When the Czech media need a comment on farm policy, they often call Jaroslav Faltýnek of ANO. After all, he's the chairman of the agricultural committee of Parliament. Rarely do the media mention that he is also a board member of the largest Czech agricultural company, Agrofert. In fact, he's the board member at Agrofert in charge of external relations. That's right, Jaroslav Faltýnek as Agrofert board member is in charge of dealing externally with Jaroslav Faltýnek as chairman of the agricultural committee of Parliament. How can the EU Commission tolerate this blatant conflict of interest? It makes a mockery of EU investment incentives, like the Kč 65m subsidy announced this week for a Kč 157m expansion at Agrofert's Olma dairy. Faltýnek the MP is obliged by the Czech Constitution to act in the interest of the people and to follow his conscience in doing so. If he doesn't, he's subject to an uncomfortable feeling of guilt. If Faltýnek the Agrofert board member doesn't act in the interest of his company, he's subject to severe punishment under the law. No real conflict at all. [Czech Republic civil code commercial corporate liability European Union]