On March 10, the 15th Congress of the Farmers' Parliament will take place - a conference!

This year, on March 10, the Ādaži Cultural and Creative Education Center will host the 15th congress of the association “Farmers' Council” – a conference that will bring together farmers from all over Latvia. At the congress, agricultural producers will look back on what was accomplished in 2013, set new goals for the coming years, and participate in the conference: "Agricultural land – Latvia's strategic resource".

The annual congress of the “Farmers’ Council” is a point of reference where farmers evaluate the work done in the development of the sector and determine the priorities for the next year. We remind you that this is an anniversary congress, which will look back on the most important works of the past 15 years and honor both the founders and the former management. As every year, this year the congress is also combined with a conference dedicated to one of the most important resources of Latvia – agricultural land. The congress will be opened by the Prime Minister   Laimdota Straujuma and Minister of Agriculture Janis Duklavs.

The conference attendees will be introduced to issues such as land management in Latvia – opportunities and challenges; the situation in the sector – an alternative view of the agricultural sector, as well as a discussion on amendments to the law. "On the privatization of land in rural areas", which provides for criteria that would be applied to the acquisition of agricultural land in order to promote the transfer of agricultural land to its intended purpose – agricultural production. In turn, the panel discussion   "Latvian agriculture and sustainable land use in the context of the European Union" Dr.oec. prof. will participate. Irina Pilvere, Director of the Forest Department, Ministry of Agriculture   Arvids Ozols, Vice-President of the European Farmers' Association "Copa" from Hungary   Miklos Kis, as well as experts from other countries.

Juris Lazdins, Chairman of the Association "Farmers' Council": "The fight for equal direct payments between European Union countries ended in 2013. The equalization campaign has not achieved equality, therefore, by learning from mistakes, we must prepare for future reforms. As long as direct payments are not equalized and competition between farmers from different countries is not equal, we must create conditions in national legislation that provide security for our producers. We are in favor of the land being cultivated, production ensuring economic growth and population in rural areas!"

Participant registration from 11:00

Opening of the Farmers' Parliament Congress at 11:40

Conference: "Agricultural land - Latvia's strategic resource" at 12:00

15th Congress of the Farmers' Parliament at 16:20

Representatives of the mass media are also invited to participate in the congress.

About the association "Farmers' Council"

The Association "Farmers' Council" (ZSA) is the strongest organization of agricultural producers in Latvia. Currently, the organization's members are almost 900 of the most active and purposeful Latvian farmers from all agricultural sectors. The organization's goal is to defend the interests of its members by actively participating in the processes of creating and improving legislation, to create a sustainable development-oriented agricultural policy in Latvia and to popularize agriculture as one of the priority sectors of the Latvian state. Currently, ZSA is the third most important lobby organization in Latvia.