"Farmers' Council": The number of thefts from farms is increasing

This year, the number of thefts from farms engaged in crop production has increased significantly. Given the high price of crop protection products and their demand on the illegal market, thieves have begun to visit farms more frequently.

Juris Lazdiņš, Chairman of the Board of the Association “Farmers' Council”: "The price of one 5-liter can of plant protection products can reach as much as 400 euros. Therefore, of course, it is a good deal for thieves. The stolen products are then sold in Lithuania or here in Latvia to garden owners or other landowners. I want to emphasize that only those who have received special permits may sell and purchase plant protection products for use; any activities on the black market are categorically prohibited."

Farmers should assess the risks and store plant protection products in secure, lockable storage facilities, preferably in an enclosed area, and information about storage locations should not be shared with other people. Consideration should also be given to equipping these storage facilities with video surveillance cameras and motion sensors.

Farmers and gardeners should be careful when purchasing plant protection products. They should not be purchased from unverified sellers, paying in cash - there is a high possibility that the seller obtained the product illegally.

The theft and trade of precision technologies used in agriculture, such as GPS antennas and monitors, is still high. Technology stolen in Latvia is even reaching the US and Canada.

Owners must report thefts and suspicious traders to the police, but it is also advisable to inform the association "Farmers' Council", which collects information and is ready to draw increased police attention to cases of theft of plant protection products and technologies.

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