The Baltic and Scandinavian farmers are invited by the European Commissioner to find support mechanisms for the affected regions

In early October, the Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, Finnish, Swedish and Danish farmers' organisations jointly sent a letter to the European Union Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Philip Hogan, calling for urgent support mechanisms for farmers in the affected regions.
Vice-Chairman of the association “Zemnieku Saeima”, Maira Ironzkala-Burmistre: “this year, the weather has not spoiled the farmers in our region. The situation is very severe because around 30-65% of cereals, protein crops, rapeseed and other arable crops were harvested in the Baltic States and Finland by the end of September. The quality of harvested harvest is poor and large resources are consumed for the harvest. In the whole region there is a significant less than usual winter winter, so that it will also be less likely to be harvested next year. The existing agricultural policy provides support mechanisms for crisis situations. Unfortunately, they have not worked in practice so far. With this letter, we ask the Commissioner that the aid mechanisms be realistic and not theoretically on paper! '
Chairman of the board of directors of the Latvian Agricultural Cooperatives Association Indulis Jansons: “in many farms, the harvest will not be cultivated, nor will winter crops be planted, so farmers in the Baltic States will be able to feel the consequences of the big rain for the next couple of years. The existing situation is non-prescriptive, which affects the entire Baltic and Nordic agriculture not only in cereals but also in livestock farming and in pork farming. '
Edgars Treibergs, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Cooperation Council of Farmers' Organisations: “The situation in certain regions is really unenthusiastic, the part of the summer and autumn weather caused an emergency which led to the fact that many farmers have been devastated and fodder cannot be obtained. This does not only result in financial losses for households, but also concerns about the fulfilment of the requirements and obligations imposed and obligations with credit institutions and contracts concluded. As the natural conditions have affected not only Latvian but also other countries' holdings, we therefore seek help and support the Commissioner of the European Commission. '
A letter from Latvia was signed by the vice-president of the association “Zemnieku Saeima”, Maira Dzelzkala-Burmistre, Chairman of the board of directors of “Latvian Farmers Federation”, Agita Hauka, Chairman of the board of directors of Latvian Agricultural Cooperatives Association Indulis Jansons and Chairman of the Board of “Farmers' Cooperation Council” Edgars Treibergs.
On the association “Zemnieku Saeima”
The association “Zemnieku Saeima” is the most influential organization of farmers in Latvia, founded in 1999. The main activity of the association is the representation of members' interests, the development of policies favourable to farmers, informing and educating members. Our members are almost 900 small and large farms from around Latvia. The Management Board consists of 9 congress elected farmers representing all regions and agricultural sectors. The members jointly manage more than 500 thousand ha of agricultural land (fertility 54%, dairy farming 38%, other sectors 8%) and provide work for more than 4000 employees in their holdings.
On “Latvian Agricultural Cooperatives Association”
The Latvian Agricultural Cooperatives Association is founded in 2002 and combines agricultural service cooperative societies (LPCS) and forestry service cooperative societies (MPKS), which are in the interest of their members, reducing their production costs. The aim of the association is to create a favourable environment for the development of farmers' and foresters' cooperatives and to promote public awareness of the necessity and advantages of the co-operation. LLKA is the main co-operation partner of the Ministry of Agriculture in addressing the issues of farmers and forest owners. Currently, LLKA is 50 members.

On the “Council for the Cooperation of Farmers”
LOSP is the largest and most important national-level agricultural advisory council of Latvia, which combines 58 agricultural and multisectoral national non-governmental organisations and represents more than 14 200 farmers in total. LOSP participates in the development and implementation of Latvia's agricultural and rural development policy in cooperation with national legislators, public administration institutions, Ministry of Agriculture and other social partners.

On “Latvian Farmers Federation”
The association “Latvian Farmers Federation” (LZF) is established in 1990 and currently combines farmers of different sectors in all regions of Latvia. THE LZF stands up for populated and economically active Latvian countryside, for fair and equitable development opportunities for all Latvian farmers, paying particular attention to support for small and medium-sized farms - family farms, development and their important role in sustainable rural socio-economic development of Latvia.
The information was prepared by
Social relations specialist Liv Normatsitkle of the “Farmers Saeima”
liva@zemniekusaeima.lv
+371 29237221
www.zemniekusaeima.lv