News - Zeme un valsts
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Latest articles

Latvijas Banka issues a symbolic collector coin, "Chestnut"
The European Innovation Act and the forest bioeconomy – what can Latvian forestry gain from it?
The “Trojan Horse” of Turkish Plywood – Growing Concerns Among European Timber Producers
Nature Conservation Agency invites donations for the restoration of nature tourism infrastructure damaged by the storm

Poll

Concern about gaps in the skills and knowledge of our pupils is voiced quite widely from time to time. Unfortunately, only when someone from outside Latvia has concluded as much. Why is that?
There is a political tendency to be busy, to invest, to make promises, but not to think about the results
If you have little knowledge yourself, you do not even know how or what you do not know...
A smart society is not always desirable or welcome
Many interests swirl around education. A "good result" is rarely mentioned among them

A lighter note

“Why are the trees here so big?”

VIDEO

Collector coin “Chestnut”
Trees on agricultural land – perennial plantations, short-rotation coppice or agroforestry?!
The Baltics in the Kremlin's sights. How serious is the threat?

News

Latvijas Banka issues a symbolic collector coin, "Chestnut"
The European Innovation Act and the forest bioeconomy – what can Latvian forestry gain from it?
The “Trojan Horse” of Turkish Plywood – Growing Concerns Among European Timber Producers
Stricter penalties to be applied for environmental crimes
How we are doing with meeting UN sustainability goals – five facts about the environment in Latvia
The future of the forest sector begins in dialogue – Forestry Industry Day to take place at the University of Latvia
Unique Skriveri Dendrological Park collection enriched with 38 new trees and shrubs
“Laflora” publishes its first sustainability report and joins the Peat Industry Sustainability Memorandum
“Latvijas valsts meži” – The Greenest Brand in Latvia in 2026
European Union regulation on carbon removals – how does it affect Latvia and how can it be implemented?
The annual driven hunt season begins in Latvia on 1 October
“The Wonderful New Latvia” or political pre-election promises
European Union Nature Directives stress test – situation and conclusions. Impact in Latvia
The forest comes to Jelgava 2026
There will be no 1940 here – we now have our own art of war
Purchasing power has increased, yet almost half still fail to build savings
Loans are most often taken out for cars, housing, and consumer durables, rather than for daily expenses
71% of residents predict a rise in house prices; market trends confirm this
Nature credits – how they work in practice and future forecasts
Latvian Peat Industry Sustainability Memorandum Signed
Latvian design triumphs in Europe – an innovative tree-growing solution wins the European Design Award
Nature restoration will not be implemented by Brussels – it must be carried out together with landowners. Conclusions in the context of Latvia
The list is finalised – wood, pulp, and paper manufacturers will have to adapt to new European requirements
Changes to tree-felling procedures outside forests come into effect
30 years of the Birch Programme
Sandis Jansons to lead AS “Latvijas valsts meži”
A heavy blow to the Latvian forest industry – the European Emissions Trading System reform
Autumn Plant Parade in Sigulda on 19 September
Skrīveri Dendrological Park Festival
Household spending reaches record high
Letter from AS “Latvijas Finieris” to the Board of Latvijas Banka
11th LMSP International Conference "Environment and Sustainable Forest and Land Management – Current Solutions"
Autumn Plant Parade in Sigulda. The finest autumn plants and meetings with Latvian growers
The first step – an adequate compensation system!
Saeima committee proposes expanding power line corridors to reduce damage from falling trees and power outages
Open letter regarding concerning trends in the activities of Latvijas Banka
Reflections on the Latvian and their forest
“Zemnieku saeima” to demand explanation from Latvijas Banka as to why biodiversity guidelines were developed without industry involvement
“The Forest Comes to Jelgava 2026” invites you to experience the forest in the heart of the city – Jelgava Palace Park
Hunting Award of the Year 2025
Storm damages state forests across Latvia
The storm is over. But will we be ready for the next one?
LAPAS in cooperation with VUGD to train more than 270 civil protection volunteer coordinators
Timber processing volumes are stable for companies operating in Latvia
Not knowing does not lift the restrictions: what may not be brought in from countries outside the European Union
Labour market remains stable – unemployment without significant change
“Stiga RM” plans to buy nearly 2,000 ha of forest, investing in Latvia's forests as an asset
Tree-felling procedure outside forests to be simplified, administrative burden eased
Forest owners will need fewer repeat measurements. Forest management procedures to be simplified
Letter to members of the 14th Saeima. On not supporting the draft law “Amendments to the Criminal Law” (No. 1325/Lp14) at second reading and returning it to committee for revision
Latvijas valsts meži to appeal Competition Council’s fine over long-term logging contracts
Ministry of Economics: the National Nature Restoration Plan needs an in-depth assessment
Artificial intelligence identifies trees from the air as accurately as the human eye: potential applications in the near future
European Union Hits Historic Record for Renewable Energy Share in Final Consumption. Latvia Ranks 4th
“Stiga RM” Group Turnover Tops 100 Million Euros for the First Time
Market fluctuations and price changes are reducing timber volumes in Latvia
European countries are making timber use a priority. Why isn’t Latvia?
Benelux countries – the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg: their forests, nature and society
Russian Timber Supplies to China Shrink as Belarusian Export Volumes Surge
The European Union Emissions Trading System. Impact and potential problems in Latvia
Latvian-made unique military defence solution donated to the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry project among five finalists for the “REGIOSTARS Awards 2026”
ALTUM expands business greening programme, opening energy efficiency support for small and medium enterprises in four more regions
46% of European Investment Fund Guarantee Programme Financing Goes to Young Farmers
Brussels bureaucrats' demands have a contradictory impact on forestry and land use
Housing Affordability Problems and Innovative Solutions
A Chance to Discover Grīņi Nature Reserve on Its 90th Anniversary
National Alliance proposes merging three ministries into a Ministry of the National Economy
“Luminor” Grants €4 Million in Financing to Forestry Company “Meža Cikls”
As Commercial Forest Area Shrinks, Future Availability of Energy Wood at Risk
In Czechia and elsewhere in Europe, Russian and Belarusian timber is being “laundered” as third-country goods
“Latvijas valsts meži” buys 5,000 hectares of forest in Latgale
European Tree of the Year in Latvia 2026. We are looking for a tree with a story!
Kaucminde Housewives' Day
Billions Lost, Production Falling: US Lawmakers Urge President Trump to Act
Latvia’s pellet producers must prioritise the needs of our households
Bird nesting and forestry: one court case, many unforeseen consequences for the forest sector
We invite you to take part in the public consultation on the EU “stress test” of the Birds and Habitats Directives
100 MW battery park starts operating in Estonia – one of the most powerful in Europe
The Latvian and His Forest
The guidelines fill a vacuum
Opinions on Latvijas Banka's guidelines for identifying economic activity favourable and unfavourable to biodiversity
Bank of Finland Governor Olli Rehn: EU treaties should include special provisions on forests
“All Sorts of Birds Live in the Forest, Squirrels and Bracket Fungi…” The Fight Against Greenwashing
Open competition announced for Dean of the Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences at LBTU
Guntars Šņepsts elected director of LVMI Silava
Are the guidelines serving the interests of Latvia's competitors?
"Forest News" launches new European forest statistics tool
A century-old pine forest near Abavas rumba has regained its value
Estonia presses ahead, building the Baltic Defence Line through forests along the Russian border
No ransom demanded from “Latvijas valsts meži” for data decryption
“Latvijas valsts meži” Notice to Clients and Partners on a Cybersecurity Incident and an Identified Personal Data Protection Breach
Volume of Deposit Packaging Returned after Midsummer Tops 2 Million
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs’ comment on the cyberattack on the IT infrastructure of Latvijas valsts meži
"eAgronom" sells 29,000 Verra-certified soil carbon credits, delivering farmers 1.46 million euros in earnings
“Latvijas valsts meži” hit by cybersecurity incident
The land use sector in Europe – the hottest issue in Europe's 2035 climate negotiations
“Latvijas valsts meži” to Update Its Strategy and Investment Plan
Technology and specialisation are redrawing Latvia's economic geography
About the Valdemārpils Elku Lime Tree
EUR 132.34 million – a lot or a little? Bureaucratic burden, converted into money, has shrunk
Summer Solstice and Jāņi
Around 29 million new forest tree seedlings planted during the spring reforestation season
Election Platform development proceeding successfully – additions to the Electronic Online Voter Register completed ahead of schedule
Availability of wood resources is becoming a question of European competitiveness
Bears in Latvia - emotion, fear, or state responsibility?
Latvijas valsts meži pays €186.1 million in dividends into the state budget
Europe voices loud support for timber construction while calling for less wood to be harvested. Interview with Sampsa Auvinen, Chairman of the Board of the European Confederation of Woodworking Industries
Applications invited for the position of Chairman of the Board of the joint-stock company “Latvijas valsts meži”
130 Million in AS “Latvijas valsts meži” Account - Found or Misunderstood?
Estonia’s “Indigenous Peoples Saga” – History, Politics and Forest Certification
In difficult conditions in 2025, JSC “Latvijas valsts meži” achieved outstanding performance
Record attendance at this year’s Latvian Forest Days
“Alarm in nature. Invasive species are taking over Latvia”: with a series of short films the Nature Conservation Agency urges attention to invasive species and their control
The price to Latvia of one million m³
89% of residents believe it is essential for the state to identify drone threats in good time and respond to them
89% of residents believe it is essential for the state to identify and respond to drone threats in good time
A work from Latvia reaches the final of the European design award
A record contribution to the state
“STEAM Hub” at Forest Days in Tērvete will invite children and families to create, explore and discover the professions of the future
Saeima Legal Affairs Committee: an animal is not a thing, and this principle must be enshrined in the Civil Law
A wild animal must fear people. Estonian hunters warn that the fear of humans is being lost
How are the wood industries of Finland and Sweden faring, and how does that affect us?
Inflationary pressure rises in the USA, while the eurozone shows signs of stagnation
How in 2023 “log prices in Latvia ‘ate’ international competitiveness”
The role of forests in climate regulation. Clear-cutting and “non-clear-cutting”
Support will be available to owners for restoring historical peat extraction sites: we invite you to seminars across Latvia
In April fuel prices sustained inflationary pressure while food prices stayed low
Harmful bureaucracy and the “production” of legislation in Europe
The endless demands of nature protection... How far will we go?
In the litigation over ending long-term logging contracts, the “Latvijas valsts meži” requests for interim protection have been granted
Green initiatives stall. Latest developments in European Union climate and energy policy
Managing forest properties in France and southern Europe: priorities, compensation and the market situation
From 1 May, movement will be restricted on the left bank of the Gauja estuary during the bird nesting season
37 forest fires put out in Latvia’s state forests in April
The forest property market in Central Europe: Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria
Forest properties in the British Isles: rules, compensation and carbon credits
Logging restrictions do not benefit the global climate. They cost Europe enormous sums
The global “breakthrough” in timber construction and Latvia’s opportunities
European Union forest policy – direct and indirect constraints on logging and the operating environment
More than a place to live: the first 60 neighbourhoods in Latvia to join the “Safe Communities” programme are known
From King Charles’s speech to the US Congress
“Laflora” begins the peat extraction season and testing of the “Laflora Energy” wind farm
As Latvia's Independence Restoration Day approaches
New viewing platform built in Oleru Bog
The forest property market in Northern Europe and the Baltics. Characteristics and trends
An exhibition on the role of wood in the bioeconomy and the development of the VEREMS plant is on show at the Latgale Embassy “GORS”
Latvia Has Many Opportunities to Attract Active Entrepreneurs
Opening of the “VEREMS” factory expansion of “Latvijas Finieris”
Opening of the Woodworking Technology Research Laboratory at the LBTU Malnava College
“Latvijas Finieris” invests 100 million euros in expanding production in Rēzekne municipality
About the “Memorial Forests” initiative and tree planting in Ukraine and Latvia
Stiga RM opens the world's most advanced acoustic panel factory in Tukums
Minister for Agriculture Armands Krauze: Latvia and Azerbaijan will continue purposefully deepening their cooperation in mutual trade
The Nature Conservation Agency and the State Forest Service strengthen cooperation on protecting natural values and sharing data
VARAM proposes handing the development of the election systems to SIA “Latvijas Mobilais Telefons”, SIA “Tet” and AS “Latvijas valsts meži”
Europe takes a stand against so-called greenwashing in corporate advertising
Minister for Agriculture Armands Krauze: How to create even greater value in Latvia's timber industry
“Latvijas Finieris” – “TOP Employer 2025” in manufacturing
BIOVELA Group, the largest meat processing group in the Baltics, plans to acquire Idavang, the region's largest pig farming company
“Stiga RM” birch plywood further-processing factory in Kuldīga has been commissioned
“My Bird 2026” photography exhibition at the Latvian Museum of Natural History
SEB banka data – last weekend's retail trade in Lithuania outstripped the Christmas period
“Latvijas valsts meži” confirms its readiness to conclude a social dialogue agreement with the autonomous unit of Latvijas Meža nozares arodbiedrība
Spring Garden and Plant Festival and Open Day at Bulduri Technical School
Fuel price rises drive overall price dynamics. Food prices – moderate
How to protect a spruce forest from bark beetle
Smart plywood drones – invisible to radar
Bog restoration carried out last year at the planned scale
Saeima denies forest owners greater freedom
High fuel prices mean almost one in four people are using their cars less
Awaiting Easter and welcoming it in...
The forest fire risk season begins on 1 April
Timely use of wood – a gain for the climate and the economy
Time to give the owner the freedom to decide responsibly
A 30% tax aims to force a change of suppliers
The Forest Certification Council of Latvia's support for the draft law “Amendment to the Law on Forests” submitted to the Presidium of the Saeima
Standing timber growth exceeds harvesting in European Union member states
The “timber industry case” in brief
The Nature Conservation Agency invites volunteers to join a toad rescue campaign
Court grants LVM's application for interim protection in the civil case on declaring the IML contracts invalid
“Latvijas valsts meži” begins the forest regeneration season
LZA and partner named prizes and awards for young scientists to be presented
Lithuania's Laukiai Oak voted “European Tree of the Year 2026”. Valdemārpils Elku liepa takes 4th place
The latest wooden bridge built by “Latvijas valsts meži” wins recognition in a construction award
Someone has to be found who can calculate what's more cost-effective. An interview with retired forester Kārlis Blūms
Fuel retailing in Latvia takes place under closely supervised free market conditions
How do people and education become the main driving force in the bioeconomy? The conference “The Path of Innovation: Knowledge – Transformation – Breakthrough”
CIREN-organised discussion “Business preparedness and action in the event of war”
2025 achievements: forest road infrastructure maintained and developed across a total length of 30,227 km
Why does one party stand above the law and common sense? Hunters' association condemns the situation in the Dunduru meadows
Eco-labelled renewable diesel – an excellent opportunity for the transport, forestry and agriculture sectors alike
More collisions with wild animals in spring – 69% of cases involve roe deer
Two more treehouses opened at the “Latvijas valsts meži” nature park glamping site
The Strait of Hormuz is closed. Timber deliveries to the region are impossible
Russian plywood floods Europe under cover of forged origin documents
Vijciems cone-drying kiln festival
By optimising its operations, “Latvijas valsts meži” closes 2025 with outstanding performance figures
Will timber tariffs remain in force despite the US Supreme Court ruling?
“Latvijas valsts meži” strengthens cooperation with forest harvesting service providers in the regions
Baltic region's most ambitious Arborist Education and Certification Centre officially opened at Bulduru tehnikums
Opening of the Bulduri Arborists' Centre
Help the Elku lime tree become European Tree of the Year!
Ministry of Agriculture approves the new supervisory board of AS “Latvijas valsts meži”
Study reveals widespread "quiet nature conservation" in Finland's forests
Journalists, researchers and civil society representatives to be protected against unfounded and abusive litigation
“Latvijas valsts meži” takes legal action over the termination of historical long-term logging contracts
The European Union's battles on the emissions front
European Tree of the Year. We invite you to take part, vote and support the Valdemārpils Elku Lime!
Strong economic growth observed in the Baltic states
“Ingka Investments” completes deal with “Södra” on the purchase of forest land in Latvia and Estonia
The latest in the world economy – consumer sentiment improves in the eurozone, growth slows in China
Ukraine and Germany sign agreement on rebuilding Ukraine's forestry sector
European hunters' organisation actively engages in discussions on the European nature network
This year's tree – the splendour of the Latvian landscape
A real risk of destroying 30 years of game management in Latvia
Nothing in the Hunting Law should be changed at present!
Are we truly interpreting climate change correctly?
Partners invited to apply for “Latvian Forest Days”
“Baltais Vilks” – a winter adventure for the 25th year
On the need to issue wolf culling permits in the Aknīste area and to improve risk management for the safety of hunting dogs
Grown trees must enter the economy, not rot away
Latest report blames illegal logging for triggering deadly landslides in Indonesia