MPs seize on populist initiative

Farmers are outraged by the populist initiative being forwarded for consideration in the further work of the Saeima, believing that funds will be wasted on discussing an idea that would destroy Latvian agriculture. A one-kilometer radius around a house means 314 ha! With the average size of a Latvian farm, these are 10 farms. The motivation of the signatories of the initiative is not clear - to deliberately destroy the rural environment, leaving small and medium-sized farmers without income, but allowing foreign companies, which mainly manage sparsely populated areas, to farm.

On November 4, the Saeima Mandates, Ethics and Submissions Committee considered the collective submission of Latvian citizens “On the ban on the use of pesticides near inhabited rural houses”, which after the vote was forwarded for further consideration to the Saeima Committee on National Economy, Agrarian, Environmental and Regional Policy. The Farmers' Union (ZSA), the Cooperation Council of Agricultural Organizations (LOSP) and the Latvian Agricultural Cooperative Association (LLKA) believe that prohibiting the use of plant protection products (PPP) within 1 km of residential houses would reduce the volume of agricultural production throughout Latvia and lead to bankruptcy of farms.

ZSA Board Chairman Juris Lazdins: "It is tragic that MPs are pushing forward with such a blatantly populist initiative, thus deliberately burdening MPs and those involved with additional unproductive work. At a time when we all in Latvia have to work shoulder to shoulder to overcome the Covid-19 crisis and keep the economy afloat, we will waste time judging how much we will reduce the competitiveness of our producers in the common European Union market. The current crisis shows that food production is one of the most stable sectors. We need to think about how to strengthen this sector as much as possible, how to add value and ensure employment throughout the food chain! Restrictions on the use of plant protection products are already in force, and analyses confirm that they provide the desired result, as long as the farmer observes them in good faith. Moreover, Latvia is among the countries that use PPPs the least. Plant protection products cost a lot of money, and no farmer allows himself to use them inefficiently.”

LLKA head Indulis Jansons: "Such decisions, which can significantly change the entire agricultural sector, should first be coordinated with the majority of the sector. And those who make such decisions would also benefit from visiting the Latvian countryside sometime and getting to know the real situation. Our three organizations, which represent 80% from the Latvian agricultural sector, should also be present in such discussions, not just as listeners, but the Saeima should listen to our opinions."

LOSP representative and board member of the Latvian Society of Agronomists Ringolds Arnītis: “GMOs are an integral part of crop production to produce food products. They are used by both small and large farmers. They are also used by homesteaders who need to combat various pests. Therefore, I believe that this is a crime against those people who live in rural areas. By adopting such an initiative, we are giving up on further agricultural production and the well-being of rural residents.”