The most farmer-friendly municipalities are emerging

In early September, the association "Farmers' Council" sent a letter to 92 Latvian municipalities with an appeal to evaluate the possibility and promote the development of entrepreneurship in rural areas, coming to the aid of their entrepreneurs and reducing the real estate tax in 2015 for agricultural land by 50% from the current rate. Currently, municipalities are crystallizing that are interested in supporting farmers in their region.

Juris Lazdins, Chairman of the Association "Farmers' Council": "This is a year of endurance and testing for farmers. None of us can say how it will end. For example, a large part of milk producers have been working below cost for the second month under the influence of the Russian Federation's food embargo and it is not known when the embargo will end. Grain growers had extremely unfavorable weather conditions for harvesting, while pig farming is still under the threat of African swine fever. Reducing real estate taxes in this difficult situation is one of the ways to support farmers. It is gratifying that there are municipalities that are ready to come to the aid of farmers, but there are still quite a few municipalities that seem to not realize how important agricultural business is in the region."

A letter calling for a reduction in real estate tax for members of the association "Farmers' Council" was sent to 92 municipalities. 16 written responses were received within a month.

We can commend the Ikšķile County Council and its chairman as the most farmer-friendly county. Induli Tapiņu (Unity) at the forefront, where since 2010 all agricultural producers have had the opportunity to receive a real estate tax rebate of 50%. This is followed by the Mārupe County Council with the chairman Martin Boyars (Centrist Party Latvian Farmers' Union) at the forefront, which provides for a tax rebate for legal entities engaged in agricultural production in the amount of 25% from the amount of real estate tax calculated in the relevant period.

Tax relief for farmers was refused in the following municipalities, thus demonstrating a lack of interest in the activities of local businesses: Talsi Municipality, City Council Chairman Aivars Lazarus (for the development of Talsi region); Roja region, chairwoman of the council Eva Karklin (Latvian Green Party); Aloja Municipality, City Council Chairman Valdis Barda (Centrist Party Latvian Farmers' Union); Smiltene Municipality, Chairman of the City Council Ainars Mežulis (Alliance of Regions); Pārgauja Municipality, City Council Chairman Hardy Vent (United for the county); Mālpils county, chairman of the council Alexander Lielmezh (United for Mālpils); Engure Municipality, Chairman of the City Council Gundars Vaza (All for Latvia! - Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK); Beverīna Municipality, City Council Chairwoman Cilda Purgale (voters' association Abulieši), Jaunpils municipality, city council chairwoman Ligita Ginter (Union of Greens and Farmers); Burtnieki Municipality, Chairman of the City Council Edwin Straume (Unity); Līgatne Municipality, City Council Chairman Ainars Stein (Unity).

In turn, Aizpute municipality, with its council chairman, has demonstrated a partially favorable, expectant attitude or at least interest in farmers' problems. Aivarus Šili (Green and Farmers' Union) at the forefront, where an extension of the real estate tax refund has been decided. Tukums County Council with the chairman Juris Schultz (Tukums city and municipality) at the forefront and Valka municipality council with the chairman Ventus Armandus Kraukles (Vidzeme Party) have either obtained additional information about the situation in the sector, or have met and discussed a solution to the situation with farmers.

The association "Farmers' Council" is still waiting for decisions from the other regional councils on the possibility of supporting farmers by reducing real estate tax. The list of municipalities will be updated according to their decisions.