I want to ensure that forest owners are fully compensated for the losses caused by the creation of micro-reserves on their properties.

Therefore, legislation must stipulate that when micro-reserves are created, thereby restricting economic activity in the forest, fair compensation is determined for these restrictions and that it corresponds to the market price of timber. The currently established "Natura 2000" compensation system is insufficient. For example: in a forest I own, which has been granted micro-reserve status because it is the only habitat in Latvia for a specific plant, forestry management project data from 2021 indicates it is possible to extract around 1,000 cubic metres of timber. In monetary terms, this would amount to tens of thousands of euros. At the same time, the annual compensation I receive for this forest plot is a few hundred euros. The amount I would receive if I were to fell the forest today, I will only receive in compensation after 40-50 years. Naturally, as a pensioner, I will not live to see that.

In recent years, following a review of natural values across the entire territory of the country, nature reserves are being created on a mass scale. Consequently, the number of people who have effectively been stripped of the right to manage their own property—in other words, their money—is increasing! Support for this initiative will reveal the true number of these people. The main benefit to society from such an amendment will be the confirmation that Latvia is a democratic country where citizens' rights to earn income from their private property are respected.