LOSP expresses concern over the decision taken by Riga Mayor Mārtiņš Staķis in January 2023 to mandate that the Riga Central Administration refrain from using meat and other animal-based products from local Latvian producers when purchasing food for events.

In an open letter, LOSP demands that the Mayor of Riga provide information on the procurements carried out during the current term of the Riga City Council (2020-2022) regarding food purchases, specifying the exact volume in which the advantages provided by Green Public Procurement (GPP) were utilised.

Chairman of the LOSP Board, Guntis Gūtmanis, stated: “Sustainable management focused on the preservation of natural resources is a daily reality for Latvian farmers in today's conditions – both in institutions and 'in the field'. However, while farmers continue to implement real 'green' solutions in their work, improving and developing their farms, the Mayor of Riga is engaging in absurd populism detached from real life – not only by refusing to use meat and other products from local producers but also by misleadingly justifying it with 'environmental friendliness', casting a shadow over traditional Latvian cuisine, especially during festive periods.”