Weekly review
Poll
Concern about gaps in the skills and knowledge of our pupils is voiced quite widely from time to time. Unfortunately, only when someone from outside Latvia has concluded as much. Why is that?
There is a political tendency to be busy, to invest, to make promises, but not to think about the results
If you have little knowledge yourself, you do not even know how or what you do not know...
A smart society is not always desirable or welcome
Many interests swirl around education. A "good result" is rarely mentioned among them
24–30 September
On ongoing and upcoming events
### Today, 30 September Forestry science afternoon at the Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava"
### Tomorrow, 1 October, Saeima elections!!!!!
### 1 October Celebration of the herald of autumn – the apple in Dobele
### Voting for the European Tree of the Year in Latvia is ongoing.
We invite you to take the opportunity to choose the tree with the most compelling story, cast your vote, and encourage your family, friends, and colleagues to participate!
### 20 October at Jelgava Palace, in the Aula of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (formerly LLU), the annual internal forestry sector conference is scheduled. Starting at 10:00, there will be reports on the operation of the forestry sector under wartime conditions (Ukrainian representative), current events in international markets, an analysis of energy issues, and other topics relevant to the sector.
The conference is an internal event for forestry companies and organisations, with a limited number of representatives from state administration and “friends of the industry” also attending.
### From 20 to 22 October in Daugavpils 11th International Conference on Biodiversity Research (ICBR 2022).
### 28 October Forest Faculty alumni reunion
### LMSP 7th International Conference “Sustainability of Land Use Sectors – Under the Conditions of European Environmental Policy Requirements and Geopolitical Reality” on 3 November at the Forest Faculty of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LLU)
On industry news
It is likely that prices for both energy (low-value) wood and sawlogs will continue to rise at least until spring. This was the assessment of industry experts, who noted that there is still a marked shortage of labour in the forests, while existing workers have moved from state forests to private ones, which are harvesting their stands for firewood and wood chips in the context of rising prices.
This year, compared to last year, the spending of the municipal company "Rīgas meži" on waste disposal has more than doubled.
To clear forests of tyres, bottles, and other rubbish, the company has already spent nearly 110,000 euros, which could have been used to plant more than 400,000 new pine trees.
Therefore, in cooperation with the State Environmental Service, "Rīgas meži" will organise the campaign "#TīriRīgasMeži #VidesSOS!" next week to reduce environmental pollution.
The purpose of these documents is to foster cooperation and development between the organisations represented by the signatories in order to promote areas of activity essential to those involved – achieving the European Green Deal and climate goals; environmentally friendly and sustainable management; development of higher education, science, research, and innovation, as well as links to the labour market in forestry, environmental, and urban sectors; and the engagement and education of the public and partners.
The Latvian Forest Owners Association has always stood for Latvia's independence, both politically and through the creation of a self-sufficient national economy, in which the forestry sector plays an important role in reducing dependence on Russian gas. Therefore, after reassessing the situation, the LFOA acknowledges that the signing of the memorandum with the Latvian Russian Union was a mistake and is withdrawing its signature from this document. We would also like to thank the active members of the public who pointed out the need to maintain an exceptionally high threshold of self-organisation and responsibility in the current situation, and we hope that the representatives of political forces will also uphold these standards and levels of responsibility during the term of the next Saeima.
The European Parliament has adopted, with 453 votes in favour, 57 against, and 123 abstentions, its position for legislative negotiations on a regulation aimed at curbing EU-driven global deforestation. It is estimated that EU consumption is responsible for about 10% of global deforestation, with more than two-thirds of this consisting of palm oil and soy.
Companies will be obliged to verify that their imported goods have not been produced on deforested or degraded land. This will provide buyers with guarantees that their purchases do not contribute to the destruction of forests, including irreplaceable tropical forests. MEPs also want companies to verify that goods have been produced without violating human rights and in compliance with the rights of indigenous peoples.
In autumn, when in the forest or near bodies of water, you are increasingly likely to encounter a hunter or hear the sound of a gunshot. The State Forest Service has compiled recommendations on what to do in such cases and what precautions to take to avoid unpleasant situations.
A brief look at the participation of colleagues from Latvijas Finieris in eagle owl research.
The impact of various types of economic activity on natural assets, including birds, is intensifying and will continue to do so in connection with the energy crisis. To achieve a balance between economic and nature conservation interests, it is important to comprehensively foresee potential impacts and assess their significance, as well as to provide mechanisms for mitigating these impacts. To foster a common understanding among experts and institutions, such seminars are necessary both to ensure all parties are informed about the latest data-driven findings and so that examples of good practice can be crystallised in discussions. It is not possible to discuss and resolve all the issues covered in presentations and discussions in a single day, and it is clear that such discussions need to be held more frequently.
The tightening of regulations for Gauja National Park is becoming an increasing burden – including for those who are by no means opposed to nature conservation... It looks as though I will soon be unable to do anything in my own forest. The area I have gradually cultivated will turn into a wasteland of insect-ravaged trees and impassable, apocalyptic obstacles.
Public consultation on these regulations ends today, and I will be sending my letter of objection, though it is unlikely to change anything. The saying that the trees you plant will be a harvest for future generations is no longer valid – because there will be no harvest. It will rot in piles of deadwood.
On news in related sectors
In Brussels (Belgium), Latvian Minister of Agriculture Kaspars Gerhards, Lithuanian Minister of Agriculture Kęstutis Navickas (Kęstutis Navickas), and Estonian Minister of Rural Affairs Urmas Kruuse (Urmas Kruuse) met with EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Janusz Wojciechowski (Janusz Wojciechowski) to raise the issue at the highest EU level concerning the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) condition that requires farmers from 2023 to dedicate significant agricultural land to permanent grassland rather than active farming, such as growing grain.
Namely, it is well known that in evolution there were initially fish, then reptiles, and finally flying animals – birds. Bird evolution took millions of years, so if you throw a fish into the air, it won't start flying, but if you keep throwing it for too long, it will fall to the ground dead. No one in Latvia wants this to happen to our national pride – agriculture.
One of the things I believe in, and how I was brought up, is that you have to be taught to work. Because I live by the principle that one of a person's main tasks in life is to work. Whether it is intellectual, physical, or any other kind of work, you must always be doing something. It seems to me, perhaps, that many think quite differently, that humans are meant for pleasure and rest and should only work enough to have enough to eat and live, but I see it differently.
Andrejs Vītoliņš, owner of the “Dimzas” nursery and chairman of the board of the Latvian Plant Growers Association, explains that the last two years have been a time of major challenges. Although the climate was favourable for plant growers this year, the war in Ukraine has marked unpredictable changes in demand across several segments.
This is yet another year where we have had to adapt, but this time it is in the assortment. In a conversation with “Latvijas Avīze”, Andrejs Vītoliņš reveals that despite the turbulence, the plant range has not shrunk. It can be seen that during a crisis, more smaller plants are sold rather than large specimen trees.
Natural resources belong to all of us, but only a few have managed to blatantly exploit them. Who, after all, benefits from not speaking out about everything related to small hydroelectric power plants, the non-existent water balance in them during the summer heat, and the lack of fish ladders on rivers, most of which are salmon rivers? This time, I spoke with one of the most experienced fish researchers in Latvia, Kaspars Abersons from the Fish Resources Research Department of the Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”.
In the event of a VAT reduction, the Ministry of Agriculture, producers, and retailers are ready to sign a mutual agreement – a fair implementer of the reduced VAT. No one is interested in losing a customer; that is lost money, and no one wants to risk that. We already have experience in lowering taxes on fruit and vegetables typical of Latvia; we know there are honest traders and people will choose the seller where this real VAT reduction is visible. As everyday goods – electricity, gas, firewood, fuel – become more expensive, retailers are compared more and more, where and for what amount it is possible to make purchases, ways to save are sought, but everyone has to eat, but will everyone be able to afford it?
On other interesting and significant matters
Logs from his own local one-hectare forest, straw for the house from the meadow opposite, and clay for the interior wall finish from Āne – this is how Krišjānis Lange from Jaunsvirlauka, Jelgava Municipality, designed and built his energy-efficient, approximately 200-square-metre two-storey straw house. The historian drew ideas from both open-air museums and an eco-village in Denmark.
A separate law is needed to hand the castle over to the Cēsis Municipal Council.
Our association represents landowners who feel threatened, but they are being kept in the dark about where this gas pipeline will actually run. Consequently, they cannot claim any compensation for the violation of their property rights.
The “greenness” of party manifestos on one hand and the realistic ability to implement political promises on the other. How can a voter identify what is sensible in party manifestos and separate it from empty straw?
Several parties running in the 14th Saeima elections mention the European Green Deal, climate neutrality, and sustainable development in their manifestos, but overall, the impression is that short-term social problems are seen as more important. That is the conclusion of experts from nature conservation organisations after evaluating the party manifestos.
The State Revenue Service (VID) failed to notice for nearly two months that a criminal case was under investigation by the Tax and Customs Police that had been initiated in violation of established procedures.
Topical cartoons