Current and upcoming events
### A petition is now open: “No to new protected nature areas without the provision of fair compensation!”
### You can take part in the discussion on the Climate Law until 18 September
https://tapportals.mk.gov.lv/legal_acts/7987de45-93fd-45e3-ac4c-948251c622d9
https://tapportals.mk.gov.lv/legal_acts/7987de45-93fd-45e3-ac4c-948251c622d9
### Fish market on 16 September in Užava
https://www.ventasbalss.lv/zinas/novada/49050-uzava-notiks-tradicionalais-zivju-tirgus
https://www.ventasbalss.lv/zinas/novada/49050-uzava-notiks-tradicionalais-zivju-tirgus
### Excursions on the Baloži peat museum railway for the 2023 season
### A study on horticulture and its environmental impact by scientists from ten countries (including colleagues from Daugavpils University) has been published; we invite you to support it by taking part in a survey:
### May be useful when planning summer activities
On national issues
The Ministry of Agriculture plans to submit an informative report to the government regarding the critical situation in the agricultural sector. The discussion concerns both the high costs of resources and raw materials affecting farmers, as well as the predicted reduction in harvest due to spring drought and frost.
While serving as Minister for Agriculture, Didzis Šmits’ main priorities were increasing the export capacity of Latvian agricultural and food producers. To strengthen the export capacity of Latvian-produced goods—a priority set by the Minister for Agriculture upon taking office—1.4 million euros have been allocated to support food producers in participating in food exhibitions, as well as for export and market promotion activities. This support contributes to the food sector’s export capacity by expanding existing markets and finding new external ones, while also promoting the local agricultural and fisheries industry.
On industry issues
...the government declaration has once again included a clause stating that minority stakes in market-oriented public limited companies are to be listed on the stock exchange. "This is a red flag for the forestry industry if it is understood to include a company of such strategic importance as Latvijas valsts meži...
Due to both storm damage and the lifting of restrictions regarding the spruce bark beetle, a significant increase in sanitary felling is expected in the autumn season. Meanwhile, demand—at least on a global level—is continuing to shrink, which is why there is generally no reason to expect a significant price rise.
To avoid unforeseen consequences, it is recommended to consider five things when planting new forests...
On the economy
The opinions surrounding bank operations that have flared up in recent months create the illusion that a bank is like a big house stuffed with money. It is seen as selfish for not wanting to share with others, so it must be obliged to open its doors and windows so that some of the wealth can go to others. This perception rules out rational discussion about the role of banks in the economy and society, as an important aspect has vanished from this picture—banks borrow money in order to lend it out.
Due to changes in cadastral values from 2025, real estate tax (NĪN) payments cannot be allowed to rise disproportionately, according to comments made today by Prime Ministerial candidate Evika Siliņa (JV) during the debate prior to the Saeima vote on the approval of the upcoming new government.
The annual “Sustainability in Architecture, Construction, and Design” competition has concluded; it has been running for 9 years and, over the last two years, has covered not only Latvia but also the most valuable buildings and sites in the Baltic states.
On environmental issues
Work to clear the aftermath of the devastating August storm continues in the Latvijas valsts meži Tērvete Nature Park, although primary tasks for safe visitor access were completed this week, and the park is planned to be open to visitors by the weekend.
On 14 September, the first, oldest, and largest national park in Latvia—Gauja National Park—marks its 50th anniversary. Everyone is invited to get involved in a photo competition and various themed events in its honour.
The development of a pilot plan is beginning for two pilot areas—the “Gudenieki” nature reserve and the “Nīca Yew Stand” together with the biologically valuable areas adjacent to it. Both are specially protected nature areas and Natura 2000 sites.
...for the construction of the “Baraukas road” forest road in the South Latgale region, Aknīste district, the State Environmental Service had specified in its technical requirements that at the points where the Dzirnavupīte stream is crossed, specimens of the specially protected Thick-shelled River Mussel (Unio crassus) must be relocated.
900 euros, which could buy 50 hay bales for the winter. That is the latest fine paid to the state two weeks ago for the large herbivores—aurochs and wild horses—living in the “Dvietes paliene” nature park. Over the years, the “Dvietes senlejas pagastu apvienība” association has paid thousands of euros in fines because it refuses to comply with absurd, animal-traumatising, and essentially impossible veterinary requirements that should not apply to the descendants of the historic animals that were returned to the wild 20 years ago in ambitious environmental projects.
State Environmental Service (VVD) inspectors detained a poacher near Lake Babīte on the night of 12 September with 18 fishing nets, totaling 900 m in length. The poacher's catch consisted of 96 kg of fish—tench, bream, and crucian carp.
Compliance with requirements will be monitored by state environmental inspectors from the Nature Conservation Agency. Administrative penalties may be applied for unauthorised presence in the Teiči Nature Reserve, as well as for non-compliance with berry-picking regulations.
At the same time, it is clear: we all want water pipes, heating, sewage; we need electric cables and gas pipelines, and the underground space beneath our streets is full of utility infrastructure. Inevitably, many trees have to give way because roots cannot coexist with pipes and building foundations. Therefore, trees in the city's green areas must be treated with even greater care.
On hunting
In Latvia, the wolf is a specially protected species with limited use, which may be hunted in strictly defined volumes—this hunting season, it is permitted to harvest 300 individuals. The Service emphasises that wolf hunting helps maintain the predators' natural fear of humans and improves the ability of rural residents to coexist with the wolf population.
The Mednis app was originally a good idea. However, it was complicated to the point of incomprehensibility. In my opinion, it includes many functions that hunters do not need. At the moment, it seems that Mednis is not a tool for hunters, but rather a tool through which the State Forest Service (VMD) perhaps wishes to control hunters during the process of cancelling harvest permits. For example, the need for photography and the requirement to be at the scene. Perhaps I am missing something, but it seems that this pharmacy-like precision is something someone desperately needs. For hunters, such high precision is not essential.
Near Otaņķi, located on the eastern shore of Lake Liepāja, two young golden jackals were culled one September evening.
On the colourful world of trains and railways
The longer the wait for the day the new trains begin running, the bigger the headaches in the rolling stock repair workshops. Due to sanctions, spare parts for old trains are being sought both at exhibitions and in warehouses across many countries. For now, everything can still be repaired, but it is both expensive and complicated.
The oldest electric train still in service was manufactured in 1966. That makes it 57 years old. Meanwhile, the oldest diesel train is seven years younger. But even the newest train will soon be 30 years old.
Back then, the grass was greener, the sky was bluer, Barack Obama had only been in the US presidential chair for 10 months, Latvia was rocked by news of a possible fallen meteorite (which turned out to be fake news), and the world did not yet know the Apple tablet, the iPad.
When financial calculations were presented six years ago, the costs for the Latvian section of Rail Baltica were mentioned as being around 2 billion euros, but now it is admitted that it could cost up to four times as much, or around 8 billion euros. The main Rail Baltica line must be ready by 2030.
Loud, yet approximate takes on current events in five parts
Do supermarkets place huge mark-ups on food? They do. But manufacturers and farmers are also exploiting the market situation. Last year, the largest egg producer saw its profit grow by 40 times.
Until you start doing it, analysing food prices seems simple. Everyone is interested in the causes of the extreme increase. Fine. Let's take one product and show how the price is formed. How much it costs the manufacturer and the store. We thought so too, until three months later we concluded that it is impossible.
On various interesting topics
Photographer Māris Kreicbergs has a fascinating hobby which, as he laughs in an interview with the portal la.lv, requires a lot of free time. In the first days of September in Zvārde, located in the Saldus district, he managed to capture fabulously beautiful photographs; looking at them can evoke the feeling of having been given that wonderful opportunity—to take a peek into the real life of the forest.
In fact, the topic is even broader—and more complicated. Do we allow for the fact that a person can truly change their mind on an issue? For example, that Ainārs Šlesers truly condemns Russia's aggression against Ukraine? Another example: were there any homegrown communist elite representatives who truly changed their views on the occupation regime and the necessity of restoring Latvia's independence?
Thanks to farmers in Cēsis district, it was extracted from the depths of the earth with heavy machinery on 7 September this year. Professor Janīna Kursīte-Pakule comments on the new discovery: "Everything has its time, including Merķelis and the stone on which he wrote the Latvians. Everything aligned—a good team, a good day, and the belief that Latvians can do it. In place of the toppled stones, there is a newly unearthed stone that tells of and embodies a significant part of Latvian history."
Look, last week's most notable event in Latvian cultural life was the naming of Gunārs Kūtris as a potential Minister of Culture. People in the cultural sector were outraged and began publishing and preparing public protest letters at various speeds, but by the end of the week, the event could be said to be over, as Gunārs Kūtris announced that he did not intend to vie for the honourable position.
From those forming the government, I expect an understanding of culture as a significant driving force for national development, which should also be reflected in the choice of an adequate minister. To lead the cultural sector and understand its polyphonic specificity, the minister needs serious experience in the field of culture.
Current events in cartoons
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