EN 
LV Would like to know the opinion on the proper management of packaging used in agriculture
In order to learn the opinion of farmers and clarify the situation regarding the management of packaging used in agriculture, and to define the main issues that would help promote the collection and recycling of packaging in Latvia, the association "Farmers' Council" (ZSA), the association "Cooperation Council of Farmers' Organizations" (LOSP), in cooperation with the environmental management company SIA "Eco Baltia vide" and Latvijas Zaļo punkts, are inviting farmers to participate in a survey from December 8 of this year to January 24, 2022.
ZSA Board Chairman Juris Lazdins: “The European Union's Green Deal stipulates a number of conditions regarding the processes implemented in agriculture. At the same time, the EU emphasizes the importance of waste reduction and recycling, stipulating that by 2035, only 10% of the total amount of waste will be allowed to be deposited in landfills in Latvia. It is important that agricultural organizations also fully participate in the overall waste management system. Farmers are already increasingly thinking about how to farm sustainably and environmentally friendly, so in this survey we want to find out the opinion of farmers on how effectively the management of packaging generated in agriculture is currently implemented in Latvia.”
LOSP Executive Director Guntis Vilnītis calls on farmers to be active and express their opinions, as proper waste management will help not only promote the circular economy, but also keep the environment of Latvia and the farm itself cleaner: “I am convinced that the times when residents burned waste in their ovens or yards are long gone. The waste management system has developed significantly in recent decades. However, taking into account the seasonal questions about where to put various types of packaging – films, plastic cans and other products that arise after work on the farm, it is clear that the system still needs to be developed. Therefore, in order to implement it more successfully, it is important that farmers talk about it and express their opinions, which we invite you to do within the framework of this survey.”
Farmers whose economic activities result in various types of packaging, including roll films, agrofilms, big bags, plastic cans and other materials, are invited to participate in the survey.
Jānis Aizbalts, Chairman of the Board of SIA “Eco Baltia vide”, explainsthat the number of official waste managers willing to accept agricultural packaging has decreased significantly over the last three years: "The packaging market is very volatile on an international scale, so when material prices fall, many decide not to take this packaging anymore. At the same time, films, Big Bags, plastic cans are recyclable packaging, so we should think about how to promote the recovery of this packaging on a national scale. If we assume that it is not profitable for merchants to go to farms to collect them, then alternatives should be determined where farms can deliver this packaging as close as possible to their place of operation. We should also promote management methods that allow farms to be sure that the packaging will always be collected, without charging a service fee. Otherwise, situations arise when illegal merchants appear on the market who collect good packaging, aiming to earn a little money for it, but essentially degrade the overall waste management system."
Farms are invited to complete the survey by January 24, 2022. electronically here – https://ej.uz/aptauja_zemnieku_saimniecibas. The survey is anonymous and the results obtained will be used in aggregate form, evaluating the overall response statistics.
All survey participants will participate in a draw for valuable prizes with a total prize pool of 300 euros. The draw will take place on February 3 and the winners will be informed individually about the results.
Association "Farmers' Assembly" is the most influential non-governmental organization uniting farmers in Latvia, which unites more than 800 members representing all agricultural sectors. Members manage more than 662,000 ha of agricultural land, employing more than 6,000 employees on farms. The main goal of the association “Farmers' Council” is to represent the interests of Latvian farmers, to involve them in legislative processes at the national and European Union levels, and to advocate for the stable and sustainable development of the agricultural sector in Latvia.
Agricultural Organizations Cooperation Council (LOSP) is an association that unites national non-governmental organizations of producers and processors, covering the entire territory of Latvia and all production sectors. Currently, LOSP unites 59 producer organizations, including 6 multi-sector organizations, 53 sectoral organizations.
For additional information:
Association "Farmers' Assembly"
Sandy Liepa
Phone: 26371925