Czech Republic files suit against EC stockpile fine

The Czech Republic has filed a suit with the European Union's Court of First Instance in Luxembourg against a decision by the European Commission to impose a 12.3 million euro fine on the Czech Republic for alleged excessive stockpiles of agricultural commodities and food ahead of EU entry. Neighbouring Slovakia contested the European Commission fine for its pre-2004 stockpiles last week. Regardless of the lawsuit, the Czech Republic must pay a proportion of the penalty by the end of July. Besides the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the EC also fined Estonia, Latvia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Malta, Poland and Slovenia for alleged excessive food stockpiles.