Axel Springer's attempt to buy land blocked by Agriculture Ministry

The Agriculture Ministry has denied German media giant Axel Springer p ermission to acquire seven hectares of farmland in the Mazury region, claiming that this would create a dangerous precedent of foreigners taking over land from indebted Polish land-owners. The German publisher's sub sidiary, Euro-Press Polska, donated several hundred thousand zloty to a foundation supposedly involved in children's art. However the foundation failed to spend the money on its declared purpose and Euro-Press demanded its return. By then the foundation was insolvent, but owned land which Euro-Press tried to claim instead, planning to build a golf course and a horse riding center. However, upon consultation with the local farmers' chamber and the local government, the Agriculture Ministry found these plans "unconvincing" and rejected the motion. Following Euro-Press's appeal, last Friday the Supreme Administrative Court (NSA) upheld the ministry's de cision. (Gazeta Wyborcza online) T.J.