Maira Dzelzkalēja re-elected as COPA Vice President

Lobbying of the interests of Latvian farmers in the European Union (EU) will continue to the current extent - today, Maira Dzelzkalēja, Deputy Chairwoman of the Board of the Association "Farmers' Council", was re-elected to the Board of the EU farmers' umbrella organization "COPA" with 99 out of 155 votes.

M.Dzelzkalėja, as COPA Vice-President, focused on achieving better conditions for greening, rural development and the bio-economy in the two years of her previous term. Given the changing European environment, M.Dzelzkalėja's commitment for the next period is related to sustainable agriculture, despite price fluctuations, global warming or the impact of political decisions on the sector.

"I have been elected as COPA Vice-President for the second term. This time I will work in the team of the new COPA President, Danish agricultural expert Martin Merild. I believe that the interests of larger and smaller European countries are currently well balanced under the leadership of COPA, therefore, representation of all European agriculture will be ensured. Such a vote by representatives of European farmers' organizations confirms that the contribution made so far by a new and small EU member state, Latvia, in defending the interests of farmers has also been appreciated.", M.Dzelzkalēja comments on what happened:

M. Dzelzkalėja's colleagues on the COPA board will be from farmers' organizations in France, Ireland, Austria, Italy and Hungary. COPA currently has 60 full members from EU member states and 36 partner organizations, including representatives from countries such as Iceland, Norway, Turkey and Switzerland. The organization's board consists of a president and 6 vice-presidents.