The Latvian Hunters Association (LATMA) has submitted an application to the Ministry of Agriculture and the State Forest Service regarding the issuance of a general administrative act concerning the permissible lynx hunting quota for the 2021/2022 hunting season.

In accordance with Paragraph 3.1.5 of Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 421 'Hunting Regulations' of 22 July 2014 (hereinafter – Hunting Regulations), lynx (Lynx lynx) may be hunted from 1 December until the State Forest Service's established permissible hunting quota is met within hunting areas (hereinafter – hunting quota), but no later than 31 March. This means that it is the prerogative and duty of the State Forest Service to issue a general administrative act each year, which determines the permissible lynx hunting quota for each season. The State Forest Service itself has adhered to this procedure until now by issuing an order annually regarding the permissible lynx hunting quota for the season (see, for example, the State Forest Service Director General’s order No. 172 of 30 November 2020 'On the permissible lynx hunting quota for the 2020/2021 hunting season'). However, a situation has now arisen where the State Forest Service, contrary to what is specified in the Hunting Regulations, has failed to fulfil this function, creating a regulatory vacuum regarding the lynx hunting quota for the 2021/2022 hunting season.