Worth knowing! On upcoming events
“Flower Paths” campaign from 1 February to 30 October
On 23 March, the Faculty of Economics and Social Development of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies invites alumni of economics, management science, and social sciences to meet in Jelgava and celebrate the faculty's 55th anniversary together
Until 8 April, a survey prepared by the European Commission on reducing the administrative burden for farmers
18–19 April 2024 Daugavpils University’s 66th International Scientific Conference
20 April, 6th Vimba Festival in Bauska
Until 12 May, opportunity to nominate candidates for the European Commission’s “EU Organic Awards” for organic producers who have developed excellent, innovative, sustainable, and inspiring projects, creating real added value for organic production and consumption.
Latvian Forest Days – 24 and 25 May
About the official
From 4 to 10 March, both rising and falling electricity price trends were observed in the Baltic and Nordic regions. Meanwhile, natural gas and wood chip market prices have approached nearly identical levels.
Regarding the information meeting for further details on European Commission proposals concerning food waste reduction targets and textile waste management.
On industry issues
The State Forest Service reminds that a mass infestation of bark beetles has been declared in forests across Latvia until the end of 2024. As part of this, economic activity restrictions will be in force in spruce forest protection zones from 1 April.
Currently, the company operates with a turnover of 20 million euros per year, offering simple yet high-quality outdoor furniture produced from spruce and pine wood. Its largest export markets are France, Great Britain, Germany, and Scandinavia.
AS Latvijas valsts meži is gradually beginning its spring season of daily forest road maintenance work. Alongside regular road surface maintenance, grading, levelling, and smoothing work has already commenced in certain regions of Latvia to ensure safe and convenient traffic on forest roads without damaging existing forest infrastructure.
On construction achievements
The winners of the Latvian Construction Annual Award 2023, organised by the Building Design and Construction Council, were announced by Gunita Jansone and Agrita Lūse on 7 March 2024 at the Ziemeļblāzma Cultural Palace. From 145 submissions, 3 projects were nominated for the Grand Prix, and the top 3 winners were honoured in 10 categories.
The seedling sorting and processing complex at the new Mežvidi nursery of AS Latvijas valsts meži in Madona Municipality received 1st place in the “Wooden Building” category, while the Grand Prix was awarded to the “Ķekava Bypass” project, in which LVM was also involved in the construction.
On patriotism
...in the summer, he has his hands full working on his farm, which also manages fish ponds, but in the winter, Gundars picked up an assault rifle and went to Ukraine to help the Ukrainians in the fight against Russian invaders.
On the economy
Fibenol is considering building a commercial-scale biorefinery in Latvia based on the patented and market-ready “Sunburst” technology. It is a technology that facilitates the wood fractionation process, allowing over 90% of raw materials to be converted into functional biomaterials that can replace fossil-based chemicals in industry.
However, there are a number of factors from a strategic point of view where such state-backed electricity sources are of great importance. They are a guarantee for sustainable electricity supply at regional and national levels. The existence of the planned 40–60 or even 120 individual power sources located in different regions increases the sense of security on a military-strategic level, which is currently important in these troubled times.
This summer, grassland biomass harvested in the Sita and Pededze floodplains will start to be processed into pellets...
On attacks against industries
Note: It is no surprise to see programmes of this nature on public media, following the justified protests from both farmers and the forest industry. It is even stranger that the most visible critics of these sectors are quite harsh in criticising various absurdities while failing to notice their own personal lack of knowledge. Doctoral degrees do not always indicate broad knowledge, and anyone who gets elected can be a deputy... If an industry expert talks about things they know, a common blatherer, no matter how “doctorate-degreed” or “deputy-green” they paint themselves, goes no further than cheap prattle.
30+ years of various changes in the education system have begun to yield less than optimal results. Moreover, it must be concluded that there are people in Latvia who, contrary to what the government claims, are overly supportive of bureaucracy, especially when it comes to controlling local industries and entrepreneurs. It is hard to consider this a coincidence...
Contradictions between various scientific studies are also being aired in court, leading to the question of what constitutes objective science in the field of forestry and nature conservation.
A similar position is held by another lobby of the peat industry – the Latvian Peat Association, led by Ilze Ozola. “I think the industry has not felt forgotten at all in recent years, and perhaps would even like to be a little forgotten, because the blows are coming from all sides.”
On hunting
In the State Forest Service’s information system, the State Forest Register, it is possible to purchase hunter season permits for the upcoming 2024/2025 hunting season, which begins on 1 April.
On 12 March, the Cabinet of Ministers approved amendments to the Hunting Regulations submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture, establishing different hunting periods for several species of game birds, setting specific conditions, and implementing a transition to the electronic circulation of hunting information.
On scientific issues
https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/zemkopibas-ministrija-turpinas-sadarbibu-ar-zinatniekiem
Minister of Agriculture Armands Krauze, President of the Latvian Academy of Sciences Ivars Kalviņš, and President of the Latvian Academy of Agricultural and Forest Sciences Baiba Rivža signed an annual agreement on continuous and full cooperation in science and research.
At the end of February, leading science portals published sensational news that microplastics had been found in soil layers where they should not chronologically exist at all. Word by word, until reaching the research site and the authors – it happened in Latvia, and the lead authors of the study are our own scientists!
At the Daugavpils University Annual Awards in Science and the Annual Award ceremony, the university’s best staff and students will be honoured and awarded for their contribution to the university’s development and promotion.
Usually, disease-causing or pathogenic fungi affect a forest stand throughout its entire growth period.
On environmental issues
The fifth season has begun in the Dviete floodplain – the spring flood, characterized by significant water level fluctuations typical for the area, where rivers and lakes overflow for long periods, flooding nearby meadows. This is a unique time that kayakers and birdwatchers are rushing to enjoy.
From 15 March, it is permitted to spread manure and fermentation residues on agricultural land, including in specially sensitive areas* where it is prohibited from 20 October to 15 March. The State Environmental Service asks residents to be understanding – agricultural activities can create a temporary, unpleasant odour, yet this is not considered an environmental violation provided that environmental requirements are met.
During the shop’s construction process, special attention is being paid to environmental protection and sustainability, carefully adapting construction to the requirements of the surrounding nature and caring for the unique natural values in the vicinity of the shop – the oak tree and protected ants.
The Draņķozols in Tukums is at least 600 years old. It was mentioned as a very large oak tree in 15th-century church chronicles, where court cases were held and witches and “devil’s servants” were burned.
Last year’s dry grass is burning...
Last year, 183 grass fires were extinguished in Zemgale, which is almost twice as few as the year before. Meanwhile, 752 grass fires were extinguished across Latvia, which is the lowest number of grass fires in the last ten years. 95 grass fires have already been extinguished this year.
Even though burning dry grass is prohibited, many are not deterred from doing so. Admittedly, the number of burning incidents has been decreasing in recent years.
Current affairs in cartoons