Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., May 29, 2008 Iyyar 24, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:36 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 05:34 28/05/2008 Looming water crisis endangers local food supply, warn ministers By Amiram Cohen, TheMarker Tags: Water shortage, Shalom Simhon  Israel can't afford to continue supporting the farming community - from the perspective of water. There just isn't enough, say ministers. Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon opposes cutting the quota to agriculture, however, and called on the government to establish a "Winograd committee on the failure of the water economy." He vows to oppose the Wate Authority's intended 40% cut in water allocations to farmers. Speaking at the annual conference of the private water association, 'Mei Golan', held at the Golan College at Hispin, Simhon said, "The planned cut jeopardizes the state's ability to supply food to its citizens, as simultaneously, the global food crisis has reinstated the vital position that farmers play in the national economy." He warned that the decision to build water desalination facilities to supply the necessary addition of 500 cu.m annually, at a cost of $250 million, has dragged on for year, while the decision to increase child stipends demanded by Shas, at a similar cost, "was finalized during an evening meeting with the finance minister and the prime minister." Advertisement The Water Authority announced its plans earlier this week to slash the allocation of potable water for agriculture by 40%. That leaves farmers with just 284 million cubic meters of potable water for crops and livestock, compared with about one billion cu.m available in the early 1990s. Minister of National Infrastructure Binyamin (Fouad) Ben-Eliezer told the conference that it was obvious that the necessary reduction of water allocations to farmers would be "a mortal blow," but that there is no other choice. He added that the government should compensate farmers who will lose their livelihood. "Israel is faced with a water crisis, the likes of which it has never faced" Ben Eliezer warned. 'Fouad' said that he intends to present a NIS 2 billion emergency plan mainly to build more water desalination plants to supply 750 million cu.m of water annually in the next decade. Presently only 130 million cu.m a year is produced. Building waste water treatment plants for agriculture will supply 100 million cu.m. Ben-Eliezer said that he plans to take urgent action to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks through which the Israel Lands Authority, he says, limits establishment of waste water reclamation plants for agricultural irrigation, and in particular, the difficulties that the Administration raises against rezoning of land for reservoirs. Water Authority director Professor Uri Shani said that water levels in Israel's principal reservoirs have already dropped below the red line, and are approaching the 'black line,' meaning irreparable damage to Israel's water supply. Shani said that there is currently a 290 million cu.m shortage for consumption. "If next winter is as dry as the last one, we will be forced to dry out all gardens and lawns in Israel, which will save 180 to 200 million cu.m annually. In light of the fact that the main shortage is of potable water, drying out of gardens and yards will be unavoidable," Shani said. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Scuba SMS Ultrasonic sound wave technology revolutionizes underwater communication. 'Hip-hop violinist' Israeli violinist participates in New York event, celebrating Israel's 60th anniversary.

Read & React Bradley Burston: The talkbacker as terrorist Responses: 281 Barak tells Olmert: Quit or face elections Responses: 173 Reuven Pedatzur: How Carter made Israel an official nuclear power Responses: 149 Was Shakespeare a Jewish woman in disguise? Responses: 77 Sources: Iran may attack Israeli targets abroad over Syria talks Responses: 82 More Headlines 23:32 Olmert: Not every person under probe must resign 21:58 PM's ex-bureau chief denies offering to testify in Olmert corruption case 22:48 Syria: Olmert's political weakness may affect recently renewed peace talks 00:00 U.K. academic union moves to consider boycott of Israeli academia 02:08 U.S. trial set for two men accused of aiding Hezbollah 20:46 'Hip-hop violinist' celebrates Israel's 60th in New York 23:22 Fugitive suspected child abuser's kids removed from wife's custody 02:36 Jeremy Ben-Ami 01:41 Gaza City: Where the traffic jams smell like falafel 22:50 Poll: 63% of Israelis back release of Samir Kuntar for IDF soldiers 21:26 Basketball legend Dr. J: Israel is an inspiration for Jews in America 22:45 Haredi man detained for sexually assaulting 7-year-old girl 17:53 Aide: Obama misspoke when he said uncle liberated Auschwitz Previous Editions Select Day 28 may 27 may 26 may 25 may 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. Jerusalem of Gold Luxury apartments in Jerusalem's finest location Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Istudy Learn Hebrew in 3 months The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Together Celebrating Israel's 60th The Jewish Agency and You - together making history Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved