Farmers call for "Save the Meadow" – include Latvian beef on the menu!
The association “Farmers' Council” in cooperation with the association “Meat Cattle Breeders' Association” launched the campaign “Save the Meadow” on March 3, with the aim of drawing public attention to the preservation of the biodiversity of Latvian meadows. The campaign will end on April 13.
In Latvia, the number of animals grazing in meadows is decreasing every year, which is why the area of natural meadows and their biodiversity are decreasing. Grazing would be the healthiest option for meadows, for which beef cattle are most suitable. However, in order for farmers to keep herbivores, a stable market is needed, which is ensured by consumer demand for beef products. In order to promote the preservation of meadows and increase biodiversity, we urge residents to include beef raised in Latvia in their menus, the consumption of which is currently negligible and therefore does not motivate farmers to focus on keeping herbivores.
Raimonds Jakovickis, livestock expert of the association “Farmers' Council” (ZSA) and chairman of the board of the “Beef Cattle Breeders' Association”: "The area of permanent grasslands in Latvia is around 500,000 ha, of which more than 44,000 ha are occupied by biologically valuable grasslands, but approximately 200,000 ha are not grazed by any cattle, sheep or other herbivores. Beef cattle began to be raised in Latvia in the mid-1990s, and they have successfully proven themselves as managers of overgrown meadows and providers of biodiversity. Although the beef cattle industry is an exporting industry, more and more farmers are offering residents beef raised on their farms, so I urge residents to include it in their diet, thus helping the meadow to flourish.”
Gita Strode, Director of the Nature Conservation Department of the Nature Conservation Authority: "Natural grasslands (meadows and pastures) are habitats that depend on mowing and/or grazing for their existence, and, unlike cultivated grasslands, are biologically very diverse. Natural grasslands are habitats that depend on human economic activity.
Of the total agricultural land in the country, biologically valuable grasslands or natural meadows occupy only 3.4%, and their preservation is important throughout the country, not only in protected nature areas. One of the best ways to restore and manage natural meadows is extensive grazing and regular mowing and grass/hay harvesting. By purchasing and consuming products obtained from managing natural meadows, grazing and management of meadows are supported, and therefore also conservation.”
More information about the campaign www.izglabplavu.lv !