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On industry and economic updates
The government has approved a draft law prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture (ZM) amending the Law on Land Reclamation, which stipulates that construction work may only be carried out on drainage systems registered in the land reclamation cadastre. This means that any drainage systems that exist in reality but are not registered in the land reclamation cadastre must be registered as soon as possible, and any construction work must only be carried out once the system is registered in the land reclamation cadastre.
... Energy and related issues
To discuss whether this new regulation truly represents a shift away from Latvia's Green Deal, as well as the upcoming heating season and the role of wood in it, "Kodols" invited arguably the most knowledgeable person in this field in Latvia: the head of the Latvian Forest Industry Federation, Kristaps Klauss.
The European Parliament (EP) supported rules on Wednesday that classify investments in nuclear energy and natural gas as environmentally friendly technologies. The EP vote rejected a resolution that sought to challenge the taxonomy rules adopted by the European Commission.
In Brussels jargon, the rules used to distinguish between green and sustainable projects and those that merely claim to be so are called the green taxonomy. These are highly detailed rules that will determine where funding earmarked for the development of environmentally friendly technologies will flow.
As of 11 July 2022, the State Forest Service is changing the opening hours for visitors at its forestry offices; in future, in-person services will be available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Opening hours have also been set for the Director General, chief foresters, and specialists at the central administration and regional forest offices.
“LVM previously managed these areas or parts thereof as sites of concentrated natural value or for the protection of specific species, primarily as nesting and mating grounds for birds. According to an internal LVM order, no new forestry activities – such as final felling, road construction, or the restoration of forest drainage systems – are planned in these areas or other potential Natura 2000 sites. Only activities already underway and planned in previous years are being completed.”
Following previous administrative errors and the intervention of the European Commission, the European Chemicals Agency has launched a three-month public consultation on the use of lead ammunition in hunting.
The decision followed the discovery that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) had not provided the information requested by the Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU (FACE) in a timely manner. In February 2021, FACE requested data from EFSA that was to be provided within 15 days; however, several attempts were made to delay this by requesting extensions, resulting in the European Chemicals Agency closing the public consultation, while the data requested by FACE was received eight (!) months later, in September 2021.
Shortly before the summer solstice, Uģis Ķesteris, a planner for JSC “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM), discovered a very rare fungus while performing his daily duties in the forests near Smiltene: the round-spored gyromitra, which is only the second time this species has been found in Latvia.
On upcoming events
Continuing the established tradition, the 5th World Congress of Latvian Scientists “Science for Latvia” will be held in Riga on 28 and 29 June 2023. The congress will be a meeting place for those whose hearts beat for Latvia and Latvian science. The congress is one of Latvia's most significant scientific events, as it will bring together members of the Latvian scientific ecosystem from all over the world. The congress will be attended by Latvian and diaspora scientists, young researchers, students, international and local partners, as well as representatives of government, public administration, and foreign missions.
On updates outside the sector
One of the first sections to be opened could be the part of the line between Riga and Kaunas, said Driksna. Meanwhile, in the direction of Estonia, the section from Tallinn to Pärnu will be built first, along with connections and logistics for the port of Tallinn. Subsequently, the line will be connected from Pärnu to Riga.
In response to numerous questions from the public, Anitra Lestlande, head of the Integrated Plant Protection Department at the State Plant Protection Service (VAAD), explains the development of pear-juniper rust and methods for controlling it. Pear-juniper rust is a fungal disease that requires two host plants to develop. It overwinters on junipers and begins to develop in May, especially during cool and rainy weather. Slimy growths form on the junipers, upon which fungal spores appear, looking like mustard-coloured powder. To prevent the spores from forming, these slimy growths can be rubbed off with a glove; this must be done daily because the fungus continues to grow. The spore formation process lasts for a few days, during which they infect pear trees by settling on their leaves.
There are people who believe that Russia is an alternative to the shortcomings of the global world order.
It seems there is not a week that goes by without some Western “celebrity” appearing in the information space to express their support or at least their “understanding” of the policies pursued by Putin. A recent example is former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. However, in the following text, I do not wish to focus on cases where such an opinion is expressed by someone who has gained material benefits from the Putin regime...
Commissioned by the Nature Conservation Agency, the restoration of river rapids will begin in 15 river sections totalling 95 kilometres in the tributaries of the Gauja from July to mid-September, with the aim of promoting the natural recovery of sea trout and brown trout and limiting the spread of the invasive species giant hogweed along river valleys.
The Gauja and its tributaries are among the most significant spawning grounds for salmonids in Latvia. The small streams of the Gauja National Park are relatively natural, with a fairly rapid flow in a forested environment, which creates particularly suitable conditions for sea trout and brown trout.
...the monument in Lielā muiža will be demolished. This is confirmed to “Neatkarīgā” by municipal representative Nikolajs Sapožņikovs. However, one must first wait for autumn when the birds fly away, and then the municipality will consult with experts on the best course of action. Whether to erect a pole with a base for a nest in the place of the monument, as the company “Latvenergo” does to clear its power lines, or to leave it to the birds themselves to find a new location.