On the upcoming forestry industry protests (summary)
https://www.zemeunvalsts.lv/meza-nozare-apvieno-spekus-un-5-marta-rikos-protestu-pie-ministru
Drawing attention to long-ignored issues affecting Latvian forest owners and everyone working in the forestry sector, the industry will hold a protest action in front of the Cabinet of Ministers on 5 March. The industry is facing unfair treatment both in Latvia and in Europe. One of the most painful issues concerns compensation for forest owners whose forest land is being transferred for nature conservation.
Drawing attention to long-ignored issues affecting Latvian forest owners and everyone working in the forestry sector, the industry will hold a protest action in front of the Cabinet of Ministers on 5 March. The industry is facing unfair treatment both in Latvia and in Europe. One of the most painful issues concerns compensation for forest owners whose forest land is being transferred for nature conservation.
Do not deprive me of the freedom to make decisions! Do not deprive me of respect for the work done! Do not deprive us of the opportunity to be masters on our own land! In a historical context, such a cry would be self-evident – it refers to the occupation of Latvia.
One night, the forest entered the city – that is how Imants Ziedonis's “Green Tale” begins. This time, the forest people will enter the city: on 5 March, a protest action by forest owners and industry employees will take place in front of the Cabinet of Ministers.
The industry is facing unfair treatment at both Latvian and European levels. One of the most painful issues concerns compensation for forest owners whose forest land is being transferred for nature conservation.
It must be admitted that, until now, we have not been keen on loud slogans or protests. Growing a forest is not a one-year or even a half-century process; trees grow slowly, timber yields must be waited for a long time, and forest owners are accustomed to calm and thoughtful management. It is often said that foresters are better at talking to trees than to people. If we are ready to speak loudly, it means that the problems have truly escalated.
We have dedicated more than half of our country's territory to growing forests. Unfortunately, forestry, forest industry, and timber processing are no longer something that can be taken for granted. We will have to go and protest – for the opportunity to be masters on our own land, to work, produce, and develop.
However, in various plans, decision-makers are ready to decide immediately on restrictions conceived here – in Latvia – which will result in the entire society – and thus our country – losing up to 2 billion euros every year. Should the country be turned into a peculiar reserve, where more is forbidden than allowed?
The aim of the protest is to draw attention to long-ignored problems affecting Latvian forest owners and those working in the forestry industry.
Worth knowing! On important events
“On the Paths of Flowers” campaign from 1 February to 30 October
On 23 March, the Faculty of Economics and Social Development at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies invites graduates of economics, management sciences, and social sciences to meet in Jelgava and jointly celebrate the faculty's 55th anniversary.
18-19 April: Daugavpils University 66th International Scientific Conference
20 April: 6th Vimba Festival in Bauska
Latvian Forest Days – 24 and 25 May
On the official
During a meeting with representatives of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris, Minister of Agriculture Armands Krauze expressed Latvia's readiness to cooperate more closely with the OECD in addressing forestry industry issues.
The Cabinet of Ministers has adopted amendments to Regulation No. 449 of 30 July 2013, “Statutes of the State Forest Service”, which come into force on 29 February 2024.
A peat soil layer has been published on the Rural Support Service map.
The peat soil layer in Latvia was analysed and the map was created within a project coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture.
On industry issues
The board of JSC “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) has reviewed the company's operational results for 2023. LVM ended the past year with a profit of 261.7 million euros before corporate income tax, which is 1.4 million euros more than in 2022.
To strengthen closer cooperation and promote the training of young specialists, as well as to create a deeper public understanding of the forestry sector, at the end of February, one of Latvia's leading timber processing companies, Stiga RM, signed a cooperation agreement with the Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies to support science and education.
Continuing the improvement work already begun, related to both modernising the study environment and creating new laboratories, a rest area for students has been created in the faculty on the students' initiative with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Forest Development Fund, creating an aesthetic and functional environment.
The bark beetle primarily threatens spruce stands older than 50 years. It is impossible to avoid this pest completely. Although the bark beetle is subject to changing weather conditions and birds, no one has the power to eradicate the bark beetle entirely.
https://www.db.lv/zinas/konkurences-padome-verte-kronospan-riga-un-ks-terminal-apvienosanos-515389
The Competition Council (CC) has started assessing the merger report of the timber processing company SIA Kronospan Riga regarding the acquisition of decisive influence over the company SIA KS Terminal, which operates in the Port of Riga, the CC informs.
Roberts Matisons has received the Kaspars Bušs Award in forest ecology and forestry from the Latvian Academy of Sciences. His research is related to the ability of trees to adapt to climate change.
On awards and laureates
The event highlighted the brightest events of 2023 and honoured those individuals who have made a significant contribution to enhancing the university's image and for the benefit of students.
On environmental issues
The State Environmental Service reminds that from 1 March to 30 April, in connection with fish spawning, any kind of fishing from boats and other floating vehicles is prohibited in all waters, except for the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga, as well as in certain canals and watercourses in the Daugava, Gauja, Lielupe, and Venta river basin districts.
With the inclusion of the Forest Environment Laboratory in the SoilSpecNet group of soil spectrometry institutions and laboratories developed by the international soil laboratory network GLOSOLAN, it has been recognised as a laboratory capable of providing quality services in the field of soil spectrometry that meet these organisations' standards.
To draw public attention to endangered wild animal and plant species worldwide, the Nature Conservation Agency is holding several information events in Rēzekne and Ķemeri in March, explaining how a seemingly innocent exotic souvenir contributes to the extinction of these endangered species and fuels smuggling.
With the onset of a warmer period, several environmental polluters have come into the sights of the State Environmental Service (VVD). In total, residents have approached the VVD with 30 complaints within a week, and in response to these, significant violations have been identified.
At the turn of the year, an employee of JSC “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) noticed a tawny owl tangled in a metal fence near Aloja. To help the bird, whose wing was injured in the accident, preventing it from flying, LVM senior environmental expert and owner of the wild bird rehabilitation station “Tiltakalni”, Uģis Bergmanis, was called in.
There are 60,000 culverts and bridges on Latvian rivers. Experts believe that some of them may hinder the movement of river inhabitants. Scientists, using a new remote sensing method, or remote mapping in the Gauja river basin, have discovered twenty dangerous culverts that obstruct fish spawning routes and also create a flood risk.
The tug-of-war over this law has been sharp. The European Commission's initial proposals were softened, and even in the mild version, the right-wing and the People's Party group in the EP voted against it, saying that this law imposes too heavy a burden on farmers.
The European Union has long positioned itself as a leader in the fight against climate change and environmental protection. However, lately, there has been increasing tension between various member states and groups of inhabitants regarding how to best achieve these goals – it is becoming clear that environmental and climate policy is one of the defining tests of European democracy.
On the economy
Last year, the average wage in Latvia grew by 11.9%. The average gross wage reached 1537 euros, while the average net wage was 1119 euros. It could have been expected that the growth in the 4th quarter would slow down sharply year-on-year, as wages rose rapidly at the end of the year before last in relation to the third quarter. However, that barely happened...
It is clearly visible that in the public sector – in the salary group from 5000 to 6000 euros – there are significantly fewer employees than in the group above 6000 euros; moreover, the growth in this group is slower than in the private sector. The impression arises that the number of top management is growing faster than the number of their advisers and deputies.
On birds
“Rīgas meži” will start this season's Spring Birdhouse Working Bee Marathon on 3 March. During this time, the cleaning and repairing of existing houses as well as the making of new birdhouses will take place.
The Latvian National Museum of Natural History is announcing a photo contest “My Bird 2024” and invites children, young people, adults, and seniors whose passion is capturing moments of the wild life of Latvian birds in photographs to participate. The best works of the contest will be on display at a photo exhibition from 12 April.
On this and that
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/01.03.2024-sak-projektet-selijas-militaro-poligonu-prieksa-vel-daudz-izaicinajumu.a544950/
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/01.03.2024-sak-projektet-selijas-militaro-poligonu-prieksa-vel-daudz-izaicinajumu.a544950/
The design of the Sēlija military training ground has begun, the expropriation of properties necessary for the training ground is underway, but there is still much to do ahead. One of the biggest tasks is ensuring infrastructure for the training ground's needs.
In total, 24 municipalities and two universities will have signed the memorandum of the Ministry of Education and Science and the University of Latvia. Initially, it was signed by Riga and Madona Municipality. Later, Aizkraukle, Alūksne, Ādaži, Bauska, Jelgava, Jēkabpils, Krāslava, Ķekava, Mārupe, Rēzekne, and Ropaži municipal councils, as well as Jelgava Municipality and Daugavpils University, joined the initiative and signed the agreement.
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