(...) At a time when Riga's leadership has been trying to encourage people to use biomass instead of gas in their heating systems, the European Commission has come forward with an initiative that would limit the use of wood for energy production.

The Commission has proposed amendments to the law on the promotion of renewable energy adopted in 2018. Although some of the proposed changes are positive, a series of restrictions on the use of wood in the energy sector are also being proposed, despite the fact that it is classified as a renewable energy resource. For example, one of the Commission's proposals, which I. Vaidere opposes, envisages uniform rules across the European Union on how countries must use woody biomass, by applying the so-called cascading principle. There are also concerns that bureaucracy will be unnecessarily increased even for owners of small forest plots.

The politician highlights that the European Green Deal must be implemented in a way that is beneficial to Latvia. She stressed that she does not support such changes to the use of wood because the Commission has failed to take into account the differing situations of the member states. The Member of the European Parliament has also emphasised this to her colleagues.