ZSA: Domestic consumption of domestic dairy products should be more actively promoted

At its annual congress held on Friday, March 11, the association "Farmers' Council" (ZSA) highlighted the need for support for dairy farmers affected by the crisis, as well as the further strengthening of the competitiveness of all agriculture in the context of global geopolitical and economic changes.

Addressing the congress participants, Minister of Agriculture Jānis Dūklavs expressed appreciation for the activities of the Agricultural Association of Latvia (AAI) to date, and also emphasized the need to continue to jointly promote the development of agriculture. The Minister pointed out that the serious approach of farmers to the growth of agriculture as a sector is also evidenced by the record number of applications to the Rural Support Service for receiving European Union (EU) co-financing for investment projects. The Minister also informed those present that he will continue the work begun to achieve the granting of additional EU support to dairy farmers.

The Congress participants were addressed via video by Vice-President of the European Parliament Mairead McGuinness (Mairead McGuiness), who highlighted the geopolitical concerns and the impact of the Russian embargo on farmers across the EU: on product prices, farm incomes and viability. However, at the same time, the politician expressed hope that Europe would cope with it by finding new markets for food, and also praised the ability of farmers to adapt to changing conditions, which they have demonstrated by going through various crises. In her speech, M. McGuinness also touched on climate change and the related demands on farmers. As one of the main tasks of her activity, the MP mentioned strengthening the position of farmers in the food chain, as well as shortening this chain.

ZSA Chairman Juris Lazdiņš repeatedly emphasized the need to increase the internal consumption of food products produced in Latvia, especially dairy products, at the congress. J. Lazdiņš pointed out that it is necessary to achieve a 90% share of products of Latvian origin on the shelves of retail stores. ZSA intends to organize informative activities this year to inform the public, promoting patriotism and choice in favor of local products among buyers, and it is also planned to work with store chains.

As a significant factor for improving the situation in the dairy industry in the long term, J.Lazdins mentioned the need to consolidate milk processing, promoting its efficiency. J.Lazdins: “"I believe that dairy producers in Latvia have successfully proven themselves, invested in farms, and managed to purposefully increase milk production volumes and quality indicators. It is not correct to call them incompetent people who do not know how to produce milk economically; we need to look for other causes and solutions to the problems."

By lobbying the interests of Latvian farmers in Europe, this year the organization intends to participate in the formation of the new EU planning period, as well as participate in the formation of climate change policy and the promotion of the efficient use of plant nutrients. In order to strengthen the competitiveness of Latvian agriculture in Europe, ZSA will continue to actively participate in the working groups of the European umbrella organization of farmers COPA/COGECA in the development of EU legislation, the improvement of the financial environment, the process of simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy, as well as in defending the interests of Latvian farmers in crisis situations.

This year, the ZSA also intends to implement a series of activities to improve the agricultural business environment in Latvia. The main tasks to be done at the congress were to improve the conditions for implementing the Rural Development Program (2014-2020), improve the tax system, reduce administrative burden and financial risks, strengthen cooperation with municipalities, as well as promote the sustainable use of agricultural land. The need to return to the issue of dyed diesel in a way that is beneficial to farmers was also repeatedly voiced at the congress. At the initiative of the members, this year's plans for the congress were also supplemented by promoting cooperation with organizations from other sectors to defend common interests.

The conference held in continuation of the congress discussed several future perspectives on how Latvian agriculture should develop in the context of current global geopolitical and economic changes. Presentations were made by Mārtiņš Kazāks, Chief Economist of Swedbank, Martins Merilds, President of the European Farmers' Organization COPA (Martin Merrild), Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Latvia Pārsla Rigonda Krieviņa and ZSA agricultural expert Iveta Grudovska. The joint panel discussion also included ZSA Deputy Chair Maira Dzelzkalēja, Head of the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce Romets Sormus (Roomet Rings), Member of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia and Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Edgars Putra.

The Congress-Conference 2016 of the Association “Farmers' Council” was organized in collaboration with:

The image gallery of the Farmers' Assembly Congress-Conference 2016 can be found here HERE.

The address to the event by Mairead McGuinness, Vice-President of the European Parliament, can be found here. HERE.

Presentations of the event participants:

• Association "Farmers' Assembly"" Board Report 2016

• R. Krievina's vision of Latvian agricultural development

• Priorities of the Association “Farmers' Council” in 2016

• M. Merrild Farmers Parliamentary Conference

• M. Kazaks The Latvian economy is moving forward: what is happening and what should we (not) expect?

Thank you to everyone for your participation and suggestions, and thank you to Swedbank Latvia for the insight into the economic situation and support of the event!