Weekly review
Poll
In recent weeks, both in the Saeima and the Cabinet of Ministers, the thesis has been heard once again: “We must act this way, otherwise there will be penalties, infringement procedures, etc.” Often, such a pseudo-argument completely excludes reasonable disputes, discussions, or alternatives, forcing those responsible to make decisions hastily and not always in the interests of Latvia. Why is that?
Old habits are hardening - someone somewhere knows better, let us rely on them
Lack of sufficient capacity or laziness to defend a different point of view
A generation of cabinet officials has been created who are accustomed to accepting rather than delving into matters
This is a serious problem for Latvia for which no solution is being sought. It will probably be all right somehow...
23–29 September
On current and upcoming events
### Forest Science Afternoon on 29 September
### 29 September: Researchers' Night at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies in Jelgava
### 29 September – 1 October: Ķemeri National Park Traveller’s Days
### 30 September – 1 October: European Birdwatch Days
### 7 October: Apple Festival in Dobele
### 12 October: international conference Old-growth forests in the context of climate policy: what is and what is not an old-growth forest?
### 14 October in Talsi: the World Strongman Championship organised by the logging company Priedes AG
### 27 October in Aloja, at the SALA business centre: LMSP Forest Programme seminar for hunters
### September and October: Līgatne Nature Trails Acorn Gathering Campaign. ...we invite you to take part in the acorn collection drive and provide treats for winter for the residents living in the Līgatne Nature Trails – wild boars, squirrels, roe deer, elk, and also bears. Acorns are considered forest sweets, and animals really enjoy this bitter treat.
### 23 November at the LBTU Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences: International conference Changes and solutions in environmental policy for sustainable, climate-neutral economic development
### Baloži Peat Museum Railway excursions for the 2023 season
On national issues (official)
While reviewing the priority measures for the 2024 state budget, i.e., the allocation of additional funding, the Cabinet of Ministers supported the Ministry of Economics' proposal to allocate 6.4 million euros of additional state budget funds for investment and export promotion measures, as well as for start-up support.
The government has approved state funding for the Ministry of Agriculture's priority measures in 2024, allocating an additional 16.8 million euros. Of this, 12 million euros will be directed towards support for strengthening the economic viability of agriculture and addressing the consequences of the crisis, while 3 million euros will be investment support for strengthening the competitiveness and export capacity of fruit and vegetable farms.
The building code has been supplemented with new requirements regarding fire resistance for structures containing window and door infills, pressure systems, and doors in short-term rental apartments. It is important to emphasise that changes to the regulatory framework do not oblige building owners to ensure their buildings comply with the latest requirements immediately; however, they must be observed when renovating or rebuilding the respective buildings. When renovating or partially rebuilding a structure, the technical requirements of the building code must be applied to the parts being renovated or rebuilt. The new requirements will also not apply to construction projects for which the building design has already been accepted.
kem.gov.lv · pasvaldibam bus pieejams e macibu kurss par klimata parmainu…
The volume of the e-learning course is 11 academic hours in an e-environment. The course content includes topics on climate and climate change, climate policy and its implementation instruments, as well as the implementation of climate policy at the regional and local level, including best practice examples and knowledge self-assessment tasks. Certificates will be issued to municipal and planning region employees who have completed the e-learning course and successfully passed the final assessment test.
The Report on the State of the Digital Decade indicates that Latvia's performance in the field of digital public services contributes to the achievement of the Digital Decade targets. Latvia is one of the leading Member States in terms of the digitalisation of public services. In all indicators in this area, Latvia performs above the EU average and is effectively absorbing and providing innovative digital public services.
At the forum, representatives from state, municipal, non-governmental, and private organisations, as well as invited foreign experts, will introduce participants to the context and significance of creating a bioregion and will share practical examples of bioregion operations in Europe and the world. The event will conclude with participants affirming their support for joint efforts to establish a bioregion in the territory of the Gauja National Park.
On industry issues
To participate in the procurement, the bidder must possess at least one heavy goods vehicle or heavy goods tractor unit manufactured according to “EURO III safe” or higher emission and safety certification requirements for heavy goods vehicles.
At the end of last week, the “Baltic Brand Forum” took place in Tallinn, where the most loved, greenest, most human, most searched for, fastest-growing, and bravest brands in the Baltics were announced. For the sixth year in a row, AS “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) has managed to maintain its leading position as Latvia's greenest brand, where public members evaluate the “greenness” or environmental friendliness of a brand.
This year, an emergency situation was declared in Latvia due to a spruce pest. Specialists admit that almost all spruce forests in Vidzeme are infested. This year, up to September alone, permits have been issued for the felling of 5,000 hectares due to the pest, which is one per cent of all spruce forests in Latvia.
Currently, in the territory of the planned factory in the Tukums municipality, the laying of foundations for a production building covering nearly 15,000 m² and the creation of access roads have been completed; asphalt has been laid for the log yard, the masonry frame for the office building and partly for the boiler house have been built, and water and electricity supply have been ensured.
When accepting forest road construction works, a forest infrastructure specialist can use a drone to check the compliance of the built forest infrastructure object with the building design more quickly and conveniently on site. Previously, the best tools were a tape measure, a laser rangefinder, and mathematical knowledge of bisectors and other laws of geometry.
Despite the extremely dry spring and early summer, the fire-hazardous period in the nearly 62,000-hectare territories of SIA “Rīgas meži” passed relatively calmly. This season (1 May – 23 September), 83 fires were recorded over an area of less than 19 hectares; most of them were only a few dozen square metres in size.
On cooperation
In order to develop and strengthen international cooperation in the field of forestry, on 28 September 2023, AS “Latvijas valsts meži” and the Ministry of Agriculture signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation with the Ukrainian State Specialized Economic Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” (ДП “Ліси України”).
On education and science issues
On 1 September of this year, the LVMI “Silava” started a study on “Soil biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services in different land-use types: from identifying drivers, pressures and climate change resilience to economic valuation” (BIOservicES), the implementation of which involves 22 institutions from 11 countries: the USA, the UK, Belgium, France, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, and Germany.
On 27 September, the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 were published, naming four Latvian universities among the 1,904 best universities in the world, including the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, which has made it into the prestigious ranking for the fifth year in a row. This year, for the first time, the ranking uses a new university evaluation methodology.
On economic issues
Latvia's gross domestic product (GDP) growth this year is expected to be lower than projected in June (September forecast for 2023 economic growth – 0.6%), while annual inflation will be higher (September forecast – 9.0%). The latest forecasts have been developed under conditions of continuing high uncertainty.
Over the last few weeks, a series of events have occurred indicating both that European countries are beginning to realise the problems caused by the Green Deal and are trying to adjust various plans towards realism, and also just how much these trends frighten the most ardent supporters of green ideas.
tvnet.lv · uznemums turpina centienus dreilinos izveidot atkritumu dedz…
The company Vides resursu centrs, whose largest shareholder is the waste management company Clean R, continues its efforts to build a municipal waste incineration plant in Dreiliņi, specifically in the same location for which Ropaži municipality deputies once refused the project.
On transport
Last summer, a law came into force in France that bans flights between cities if the journey can be made by train in less than two and a half hours. The aim of this initiative is the reduction of CO₂ emissions and other pollutants. Other European countries are also taking decisive steps in this direction, encouraging the choice of trains instead of air transport.
The Minister has also expressed the view that significant changes are expected in the management of Rail Baltica. As previously reported, delays are observed in the design phase of the Rail Baltica project, and design works are falling behind the planned schedule. The situation is particularly complex in the Riga section, where solutions need to be reviewed on both the project side and the city side.
On Wednesday, 27 September, path renovation begins in the square near the Latvian National Opera and Ballet building, in an area managed by SIA Rīgas meži. Therefore, the square will be cordoned off, and pedestrian movement will not be possible until mid-October.
The main cause of the delays in the design works of the Rail Baltica railway project is the inability of the Spanish design company Idom to fully fulfil its obligations, states an informative report from the Ministry of Transport (SM) on the progress of the Rail Baltica project implementation in Latvia in the first half of this year. Later, however, the report was withdrawn.
About and around politics
This week marked 20 years since the day when I, like a million other Latvian citizens, went to the polling station to decide whether Latvia should join the European Union. Back then, I went to vote without any particular illusions, but with a clear goal: Latvia must become a normal, boring European country.
I also don't like all those NGOs with their exaggerated and militant sense of justice. Sometimes they are right, but it's still suspicious. Who pays them anyway? I don't like Latvian entrepreneurs, because I have a strong suspicion that they haven't become rich honestly. If they aren't rich, if they are barely making ends meet, then I like them a little better, but in general, I don't like them. I also don't like bureaucrats; they don't know anything, they just sit there and collect their large salaries. Actually, I don't like any of you.
I assume that the majority of Delfi readers have no personal experience of participating in the pioneer organisation. And, as they say, you haven't missed anything either. Be that as it may, this Soviet system youth organisation did not lack rituals and ceremonies. For example, the red scarf symbolised the unity of three generations – communists, Komsomol members, and pioneers.
When the newly elected Prime Minister Evika Siliņa had a Freudian slip, saying that parts of the coalition cannot be trusted, she was about 33% correct. The harsh reality is that, in fact, none of the positions in the new coalition should be entrusted to anyone!
On environmental issues
The Ministry of Agriculture (ZM) reminds all farmers who have applied for agri-environmental support under measure LA10.5 “Management of grassland habitats” (BDUZ) that, in order to receive payments without rate reductions, they must create and fill out a Field History in the State Plant Protection Service’s Agricultural Land (VAAD LIZ) management system.
The water quality of the Tora river has been negatively affected by pollution caused by the river's straightening and deepening carried out during the 20th century, as well as by the washout of fine particles and plant nutrients – nitrogen and phosphorus. To reduce this, forest management on river banks plays a significant role.
Thanks to the Nature Conservation Agency’s habitat and species protection restoration project, the Gauja National Park can take pride in the improved ecological status of 15 river rapids on its 50th anniversary, as well as the management of Lake Vaidava.
Natural meadows are one of the most outstanding natural treasures of Latvia, where plant diversity rivals that of excellent tropical forests. At the same time, this is one of the most threatened and rapidly disappearing habitats in Latvia. To preserve existing meadows and prevent them from becoming overgrown, the Nature Conservation Agency (the Agency) manages more than 240 hectares of biologically valuable meadows in the Teiči and Krustkalni reserves.
On knowledge and its usefulness
Fortunately, the guest had slight doubts, so he went to the university to look for a professor because he had occasionally seen him on television. “Thank God he came, because the green brittlegills he gathered turned out to be quite overgrown death caps – deadly poisonous mushrooms, after which death occurs in 90% of cases! They contain more than 100 different toxic compounds!” writes Arvīds Barševskis.
There are many non-governmental organisations in Latvia, and they operate in a wide variety of areas – from small associations solving individual issues within a single neighbourhood to human rights defenders and global-scale problem solvers at the national level. What unites them all, and what are the biggest problems and advantages of these organisations?
On many things
What do you think about freedom of speech? How important is it to you? These and many other questions were discussed in a public media audience study, where focus group participants from all over Latvia debated the professional values included in the Editorial Guidelines of the Latvian public media.
Latvians in the USSR. Those in the 1920s–30s of the last century who remained in Russia, Ukraine, etc., served in leadership positions in the Cheka, in the military, in the Communist Party, built the Soviet economy, created a specific Latvian culture, or did very simple work. What drove them – ideals, a thirst for power, or survival considerations? Career aspirations?
The mainstream of Latvian politicians (mainstream) has been quite timid in addressing the consequences of Russification. Calls from the National Alliance (NA) to do something about it were mocked and dismissed for a long time.
Zigmunds Orlovskis, a researcher at the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, has started a unique study in Latvia to find out if and how plants communicate with each other and how they pass the necessary information to one another.
Current events in cartoons
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