In Brussels, we pointed out the critical situation in the dairy sector

Today, December 3, farmers and non-governmental organization representatives from the Baltic States and Finland will organize protest activities in Brussels to draw the attention of the European Commission and MEPs to the critical situation in the dairy sector caused by the food embargo imposed by the Russian Federation. It is planned to distribute milk bottles to MEPs, the labels of which will indicate the solidarity of the countries and outline the situation in the dairy sector in each country.

Member of the Board of the Latvian Agricultural Cooperatives Association, Chairman of the Board of LPKS “Trikāta KS” and owner of the dairy farm “Pilslejas” Uldis Krievārs: "I view the compensation granted by the European Commission to Latvian dairy farmers as symbolic. In such a situation, it is our duty to go and talk to European decision-makers, to explain the dramatic situation of the Latvian dairy industry after the embargo imposed by Russia. It will not be easy, because unfortunately, in the eyes of European leaders, we are still a periphery, and our problems are unable to get on the agenda of EU countries. Almost 2% from the direct payments budget were directed to the EU crisis support fund, therefore, in this situation, when there is a real crisis, we are entitled to receive more serious support!"

Ieva Alpa – Eizenberga, owner of the dairy farm “Robežnieki”: "In today's talks with the European Commission members, one spokesperson has been nominated from each country, and Latvia will be represented by Uldis Krievārs. In turn, I will actively try to express the real situation regarding the Latvian countryside and the fact that the planned European support of 7.7 million euros, compared to the losses, is inadequate. In September, the former European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dačan Čiološ, came to Latvia on a working visit. We remember very well what he promised us and what work he was supposed to hand over to the next Commissioner. Unfortunately, this was not fulfilled, so I will also point out the failure to fulfill promises. We hope that we will draw the attention of the members and raise the issue of granting additional compensation to farmers in the Baltic States and Finland."

Agnese Hauka, Rural Development Expert at the Latvian Farmers' Federation:  Every producer, every job, every family and every person is important to Latvia. In the previous planning period, targeted support was invested in the development of dairy farming in the country, and now the Latvian state has also provided support to farmers who have suffered as a result of economic sanctions. However, this time this was neither the fault of the farmers nor the Latvian state, but a European political decision, as a result of which the Russian embargo was introduced, which has severely affected milk producers in Latvia. Thanks to the previous appeals of farmers from the Baltic states, the European Commission granted financial support to the Baltic states, but Baltic and Finnish producers are still facing a huge challenge, and we would like to remind you that producers from EU border countries, whose export markets are the former Soviet states, are currently in a particularly critical situation.”

SandraStricka, head of the dairy group of the Cooperation Council of Farmers' Organizations:"Although the EC has decided to provide support funding of 28.56 million Euros to the Baltic States, including 7.7 million Euros to Latvia, this is only a temporary solution that will not compensate for the losses incurred by dairy farmers. According to preliminary calculations, losses for Latvian dairy producers from August to December could reach more than 20 million Euros. Therefore, I believe that the institutions of the European Union must assess the impact of the Russian embargo in the long term and, if these consequences in the dairy sector continue, then Europe must seek a solution and the Member States must show solidarity by helping those countries that are experiencing the consequences of the Russian embargo, especially considering that solidarity is one of the EU principles."

This afternoon in Brussels, farmers from all four countries will meet with representatives of the European Commission and members of the European Parliament. During the meeting, the members will symbolically highlight the problems of the dairy industry by presenting decision-makers with milk bottles with specially made labels. The interests of Latvian dairy farmers in Brussels will be represented by Uldis Krievārs, a member of the board of the Latvian Dairy Farmers' Association, Maira Dzelzkalēja, deputy chairwoman of the association "Zemnieku saeima", Ieva Alpa-Eizenberga, owner of the agricultural cooperative "Robežnieki", and Agnese Hauka, a rural development expert of the Latvian Farmers' Federation.

The material prepared by representatives of the Baltic States and Finland for the Members of the European Commission is available here: Russian Trade Embargo