ZSA Chairman Juris Lazdiņš on the new government

Juris Lazdiņš, Chairman of the Board of the Association "Farmers' Parliament", on the government approved on January 23.

"Given the almost four-month-long and complicated government formation process, I believe that it will be difficult for the new government to work productively. The continuous infighting among the coalition parties, as well as the pronounced disagreement between the parties, raise concerns about the stability and cohesion of the government. Consequently, I assume that it will also be more difficult to resolve issues related to agriculture."

The next two years are very important for us, because the current planning period will end and in parallel negotiations will take place in Brussels and an agreement will be reached on the financing of the next planning period. We must work together to increase funding and achieve equality in the field of direct payments. However, after last week's meeting with both the new Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture, we are not completely convinced that there is a mutual interest in issues important to farmers! We very much hope that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture will be ready to take bold steps to defend the interests of Latvian farmers in issues related to the next planning period!

Work has also begun on numerous national-level issues that will need to be continued. We are open to joint cooperation and expect the same from the new government!

Thank you to the former Minister of Agriculture Jānis Dūklavas for successful cooperation over several years!”