This year, farmers still have to buy Eurovignettes!

After extensive work by the "Farmers' Parliament", on July 28, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Road Use Fee Law in its final reading, which allow agricultural producers not to purchase a road use fee or vignette to travel on the country's main roads during the season. This year, you will still have to purchase a Eurovignette, as the road toll relief will come into effect from 2018.

Clarification:

– From January 1, 2018, the road toll does not have to be paid when driving in populated areas;

– The norm on exemptions from the fee for farmers will enter into force on January 1, 2018, and therefore will be applicable from July 10, 2018.

We have already pointed out that the amendments to the Road Use Fee Law are a very unjustified additional financial burden on the agricultural sector, because, for example, grain collection points in Latvia are located in such a way that it is not possible to bypass the country's main roads, for which a road use fee or vignette must be paid. It is also important to deliver fruit and vegetable crops as quickly as possible during the summer and autumn period. We have asked the Ministry of Transport to completely exempt farmers from paying the Road Use Fee, because in many cases travel on the main country's roads is temporary!

If you have any questions, please contact Mārtiņš Tronas, agricultural policy expert at the Agricultural Research Service of Latvia, martins.trons@zemniekusaeima.lv or 29805456.