The President of the Croatian Chamber of Agriculture, Mato Brlošić, stated on Friday that all small farmers have collected their claims against Agrokor and that more than 90 percent have continued cooperation with the group, and he assessed that April 10, when the extraordinary administration entered Agrokor, was a good decision.
– For now, we can say that almost all small farmers have received their claims and over 90 percent have continued cooperation with Agrokor’s companies and are receiving regular payments for their deliveries as agreed, said Brlošić to reporters after a conference where the Association reported on meetings with Minister of Agriculture Tomislav Tolušić and representatives of parliamentary clubs about their views on proposals for new laws concerning agriculture.
>>>Todorić: Dalić threatened me in the late night hours
When asked what he thinks is the reason for the delay in the publication of the audit report, Brlošić said that it is a report of almost a million pages.
He noted that they are pleased that agricultural companies in the Agrokor system have performed well this year, that their yields have been satisfactory and even exceptionally good.
He believes that the situation regarding agriculture is improving significantly, but emphasizes that the problem lies with “producers’ organizers who belong to larger entities and cover a larger number of small cooperators.”
– We are trying to find a model for them to receive their money and pay agricultural producers, Brlošić stated.
When asked what if the audit report shows greater losses for the group than anticipated, Brlošić said that those companies that perform well will likely continue to operate, while those that do not perform well “will not go further.”
>>>New issue of Lider: Who is who in the Agrokor case
– I believe that a good decision was made on April 10 (when the extraordinary administration entered Agrokor) because at that moment everything could have collapsed, everything could have disappeared, and the question is who would be producing today, whether the fields would be cultivated, and whether someone would take all of it for really little money. The analysis will show, probably those who perform well will go further, and those who do not, will not go further, said Brlošić.
He hopes that upon the publication of the audit report, when the temporary creditors’ council ceases to operate, whoever leads the group will manage it based on economic calculations.
– What can succeed will be supported, what cannot will be put on the market, so much for what it is worth. But we believe that a good thing was done on April 10, concluded Brlošić.
>>>Todorić: Orchestrated political attack destabilized, destroyed the value of Agrokor
When asked what he thinks is the reason for the delay in the publication of the audit report, Brlošić said that it is a report of almost a million pages.
– It is obvious that this is indeed a huge task, regardless of the fact that 60 experts are working on it. Let them work 20 days longer if necessary, but let them do it properly. When we have a clear picture, the more precise it is, the better measures can be taken, which will yield better results in the future, he emphasized.
When asked how he comments on the situation with Ivica Todorić’s posts on the website, in which he accuses the government of spreading misinformation regarding Agrokor, Brlošić replies: “It is obvious that someone is playing general after the battle is over. We all know that it is easy to be a general when the battle is over.”
