Farmers point to the need to promote local, not imported, produce

On August 12, the government supported the draft regulations prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, which provide for the following in the “National Food Quality Scheme” (NFQS): also include those products that meet the requirements of increased quality, are not grown in Latvia, the full processing cycle takes place in Latvia and they will be recognizable by the indication "Bordeaux spoon". The Association "Farmers' Council" (ZSA) and the "Latvian Agricultural Cooperative Association" (LLKA) do not support such a decision, especially now, when there is an increased need for advertising for the consumption of local products.

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Maira Dzelzkalēja, Deputy Chairwoman of the Board of the Association "Farmers' Council": "If the "Bordeaux spoon" is introduced now, then public money will be invested in advertising imported products, which is absolutely unacceptable at the moment. After Russia's ban on importing agricultural products, our task is to promote and intensify the use and consumption of local products, because we need to think about our farmers and how to help them in this situation. Previously, Latvia had a great campaign for the introduction of the euro. Now is the right time for the state to use the experience gained previously and create an advertising campaign for local food products."

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Chairman of the Board of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Indulis Jansons points out that it would be important at this time to create a campaign that directly achieves the necessary goal so that Latvian consumers choose local products. I. Jansons: "All stakeholders – farmers, manufacturers, supermarkets, industry organizations – need to sit at the same table and, with state support, create a broad information campaign to promote the consumption of products made in Latvia. For example, the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has already announced its plans to work in this direction, I think it would be valuable to meet with them and join forces in one campaign so as not to confuse consumers."

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The "Bordeaux Spoon" is intended to use raw materials that, due to Latvia's natural conditions, cannot be supplied throughout the year. Manufacturers will be able to produce higher-quality products from imported raw materials, and their full processing cycle will take place in Latvia.