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LV Farmers' Assembly evaluates 2017 in agriculture
As every year, this year too, the association "Farmers' Parliament" evaluated the outgoing year 2017, summarized the most important events of the year in agriculture in 15 nominations, and outlined the challenges of the industry for the next year - Latvia's centennial year!
Next year's challenge. Tax reform. Only at the end of next year will the farmer realize whether the tax reform will have a positive or negative result.
Annual harvest. It had grown, it couldn't be harvested.
The satisfaction of the year. Prompt action by the state to support farmers affected by the floods.
A lesson for the agricultural sector. Disorganized land reclamation systems, insurance, risk funds. Sooner or later, what is not done completely comes back to haunt us.
The result of many years of work. We finally succeeded! This year, a reduced VAT rate for fruits and vegetables grown in Latvia has been approved.
The broken problem. The lack of coordinated policy in recent years has emptied the countryside. The rural population continues to decline.
Model institution of the year. Rural Support Service. Performs its function professionally. Many state institutions should learn from them.
Joy of the year. Farmers are increasingly using new technologies (precision farming, robots, satellite data, etc.).
Peace of the year. The dairy industry is recovering from the crisis. It is paying off debts. Hopefully, it is building savings!
The most lively discussions of the year. What should the beef cattle industry be like?
We are losing steadily. Swine fever – no change at the front.
Opportunity of the year for farmers. Experience exchange trips organized by the Farmers' Council. We visited farms both in Latvia and in other EU countries!
Pride of the year. Farmers have been noticed and appreciated by various institutions: the Ministry of Agriculture, municipalities, planning regions, etc.
Perseverance of the year. Nothing has changed. The Farmers' Assembly continues art: land, climate, common agricultural policy; land reclamation issues, provision of financial resources, etc.
The joy of the year. The Farmers' Council is still considered the most active lobbyist for farmers' interests in Latvia and Brussels.
