The forestry sector
As part of developing a strategic vision for the forestry sector's development, the Forest Sector Development Guidelines for 2026-2050 have been drawn up and submitted for their first public consultation, and a strategic assessment of their environmental impact has begun.
Regulations have been prepared to enhance forest vitality – agreement has been reached on the proportions of forest to be allocated to the various principal uses. A proposal has been drawn up on the areas to be devoted to these purposes, together with amendments to regulations to secure these proportions. Amendments to regulations have been prepared which, once adopted, would reduce the impact of natural disturbances (floods, storms, fires) on forests.
As part of improving its e-services environment, the State Forest Service has created a dedicated customer portal: epak.vmd.gov.lv. It provides convenient access to the State Forest Register and makes it simpler to obtain the service's offerings digitally.
The State Forest Service has begun developing and managing forestry risk assessments within the State Forest Register, with the aim of reducing the number of sites requiring on-site inspection.
The communication function for hunters in the "Mednis" mobile app has been improved.
A draft "Methodology for assessing the status of game animal populations and determining permissible hunting quotas" has been prepared, based on the findings of the latest scientific research, IT developments and technological capabilities, while taking account of the human and material resources available to carry out the relevant tasks.
Latvijas valsts meži has carried out protection of young stands across 25,000 ha throughout Latvia (protection using repellents and stem protection).
State forests have been regenerated across 13,900 ha this year, with almost 28 million forest seedlings planted. Most were planted by hand, while 5% of the total area was regenerated by machine planting.
As damage from the European spruce bark beetle in state forests has increased, Latvijas valsts meži has developed an algorithm for identifying potentially damaged spruce stands, so that management activities to limit bark beetle damage in the stands concerned can be planned over the long term. The algorithm is based on high-resolution Sentinel-2 satellite imagery covering the whole country.
Thanks to this summer's cool, rainy weather, the fewest forest fires on record in state forest territory since the founding of Latvijas valsts meži were registered during the forest fire season. Likewise, the smallest area in 25 years burned in state forests this year. In total, 66 forest fires were extinguished in state forests this year, with the area affected by fire reaching 17.6 ha.
Latvijas valsts meži is the first in Latvia to obtain PEFC RED II certification, which attests to the company's ability to produce wood energy products sustainably and responsibly, and to its commitment to continue doing so in future.
Latvijas valsts meži has launched a major bog ecosystem restoration project in specially protected areas – during this EU co-financed project, which runs until the end of 2029, water levels will be optimised and the quality of various bog habitats improved across at least 1,500 ha in seven specially protected nature areas.