We met with the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food – we expect positive changes in EU agricultural policy

On April 18, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christoph Hansen and Minister of Agriculture Armands Krauze visited Latgale and Augšdaugava regions on a working visit, with whom they also met representatives of the association "Farmers' Council".

The Commissioner of the Farmers' Assembly was received by his members in Dricāni parish, Rēzekne region — at the farm “Pumpuri” by the owner Artūrs Eriņš. During the visit, we introduced the Commissioner to the daily reality of Latvian agriculture and farm work — grains, vegetables and fruits are grown here.

During the meeting, we highlighted several important issues that are currently particularly relevant for Latvian farmers:

✅️ the need to review the conditions for the conservation of permanent grasslands;

✅️ equalization of direct payments between European Union member states;

✅️ linking the definition of an active farmer to income;

✅️ targeted support directly to producing farmers;

✅️ promoting cooperation as an effective tool for increasing the competitiveness of agriculture;

✅️ solutions to improve the agricultural risk insurance system;

✅️ Opportunities to strengthen the fruit and vegetable growing industry in Latvia.

We also received confirmation that the agricultural simplification package, which will include changes to the regulation of permanent grassland, will be published in May. Such meetings are an important step towards building a closer dialogue between Latvian farmers and European institutions, in order to work together on a clear, balanced and future-oriented agricultural policy.