Upcoming events
### 21 October Latvian Forest Programme seminar in Aloja
https://www.lmsp.lv/lmsp-latvijas-meza-programmas-seminars-aloja-21-oktobri
https://www.lmsp.lv/lmsp-latvijas-meza-programmas-seminars-aloja-21-oktobri
### Voting continues for the European Tree of the Year in Latvia
We invite and remind you to take the opportunity to choose the tree with the most colourful story, cast your vote, and encourage your relatives, friends, and colleagues to participate!
### 20 October The annual internal forest industry conference is scheduled at the Jelgava Palace, in the Great Hall of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (formerly LLU). It begins at 10:00 AM, with presentations on the operation of the forestry sector under wartime conditions (by a Ukrainian representative), current trends 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 limited attendance by representatives from government administration and 'friends of the industry'.
### From 20 to 22 October in Daugavpils 11th International Conference on Biodiversity Research (ICBR 2022).
### 28 October Forest Faculty 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 Faculty of Forestry of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LLU).
Regarding the tender for timber harvesters
By 24 October, A/S Latvijas valsts meži (LVM) invites logging service providers to participate in the tender 'Round timber production services for 2023-2027.' The subject of the open procurement tender includes timber harvesting and extraction for pre-commercial thinning volumes of 804,000 m3 per year and regeneration felling of 1,995,000 m3 per year.
Regarding the industry and related issues
Regarding the 9th Congress of the Latvian Forest Industry Trade Union.
The Latvian Peat Association (LNKB), which brings together leading scientists from various Latvian scientific institutions specialising in bog management, peat extraction, and use, as well as the largest bog owners, was admitted on 10 October of this year to the international organisation for peatlands and peat research, the IPS (International Peatland society).
The popularity of wooden houses is growing worldwide, and this is a great opportunity for their manufacturers in Latvia, yet we are significantly lagging behind our southern and northern neighbours in this regard, while a paradoxical bureaucratic system has developed in Latvia.
The burden of labour taxes on the average wage in Latvia is only slightly behind the levels in Finland and Sweden, but it is a long way from the prosperity of Scandinavian citizens, and at the same time, our purchasing power is closer to that of Romania or Bulgaria.
Latvia's climate neutrality strategy provides for a 100% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, while by 2030, Latvia can reduce its GHG emissions by 13-15% compared to 2005 within the framework of the Effort Sharing Regulation, representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (VARAM) informed at the meeting of the Saeima Sustainable Development Committee on Wednesday.
...leaves collected in greenery managed by the company, grass clippings, wilted flowers, and other biological mass will be stored in accordance with regulatory requirements at the first waste composting site established by Rīgas Meži this year. The resulting compost will be used to enrich the soil of Riga's green spaces.
Regarding the opportunity to realise an idea
https://schwenk.lv/ilgtspeja/sabiedriba-un-kopienas/schwenk-latvija-projekti-kopienas-stiprinasanai/
SCHWENK Latvija is one of the leading construction material manufacturers and the only cement producer in Latvia. Proudly continuing the traditions of cement production in Latvia, we believe in the strength of the regions, which is built by bright minds, burning eyes, and the courage to grow and develop. As one of the largest and oldest employers in the Saldus and Brocēni region, we see contributing to the development of this community and place as our mission.
Regarding various events
On its 110th birthday, the Riga National Zoological Garden invites you to Animal Days, which – as every year during these days – offer free entry to those whose names contain the names of animals. At the same time, zoo board member Anete Bilzēna emphasised on the Latvian Television programme Rīta Panorāma that the money from tickets enables the zoo to engage in science, including the conservation of animal species.
Therefore, it would be important to understand what the European Green Party is, whose candidate member in Latvia is the 'Progresīvie' party. They have made their political choice, although they do not talk much about it in the public space. It should be recalled that Tatjana Ždanoka also worked in the ranks of the Greens in the European Parliament, until she was excluded so as not to damage the political group's image.
Regardless of what 'Progresīvie' called themselves during the election campaign – whether Greens, Social Democrats, or Liberals – it is important to look at the fundamental principles that the European Green Party stands for, because it is they whom 'Progresīvie' have chosen as their closest allies at the European level. And, undeniably, these principles would be brought into the Latvian government if 'Progresīvie' were part of it.
I have been on the board of this organisation for five years, and at one time my idea, and others in this organisation had it too, was that Zemnieku saeima would represent all farmers. And that every action, every decision would be based on a balanced, collective view of the organisation's board. However, once again, for the umpteenth time, I am convinced that this is not happening – statements are being issued rapidly, without prior discussion. This is also such a case – without convening the board, without talking.
We have various members in the organisation – different farmers' associations, which should also be heard in such cases and on such issues when it is necessary to determine which Minister of Agriculture the farmers themselves want. However, in the case of Gerhards, a rapid set of measures has taken place, which resulted as it did.
At the start of its work, the 13th Saeima sharply increased the funding of political parties from the state budget. This was done to supposedly distance parties from wealthy people who influenced the activities of parties with their donations. Finishing its work, this Saeima, driven by similar motives, in its last full working session, adopted the so-called lobbying law, or the openness of interest representation, which in theory should ensure that it is clear to everyone whose interests politicians are trying to promote. Admittedly, not everyone is optimistic about the usefulness of this law.
Legislation does not set the level of education or professional knowledge that a candidate for deputy must possess. Likewise, candidates' knowledge of national legislation and the work of the Saeima is not tested. Therefore, people who lack an understanding of the work of a deputy and its significance can become Saeima deputies.
The exhibition of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia dedicated to the repressive activities of the Latvian SSR State Security Committee (KGB) in the historic Corner House at Brīvības iela 61, Riga, will have to close on 7 May 2024 if repairs worth 700,000 euros are not carried out by that time, the director of the Museum of the Occupation, Solvita Vība, revealed at a press conference yesterday. The State Construction Control Bureau (BVKB) has determined that the Corner House is in a pre-emergency state.
To find a solution for the future development of the Teters House building, at Brīvības iela 61 in Riga, the sector must make a clear decision on the future use of the building, as well as find appropriate funding.
Invited to participate in the forum are representatives from the Latgale Congress, the University of Latvia Livonian Institute, the I. Kozakeviča Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies, the Employers' Confederation of Latvia, the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia, the Latvian Sports Federations Council, the Latvian Council of Creative Unions, the Council of Rectors, the Latvian Association of Educational Leaders, the Latvian umbrella organisation for people with disabilities SUSTENTO, the Civic Alliance, the National Youth Council of Latvia, the Latvian parents' organisation Mammamuntetiem.lv, the University of Latvia Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, the Riga Stradiņš University Faculty of Communication, and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences.
The triumphant march of the Mother of Wind and Mother of Sun expected in the future will have to wait; this winter, Europeans will still have to keep warm by the Mother of Gas and Mother of Coal. This conclusion follows from recent events in the European Union, as the war started by Russia in Ukraine and the sharp rise in energy prices have forced many European countries to revise their plans to abandon environmentally harmful energy sources.
Time to smile!