Agriculture, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

July 19 last year, a Danish company based in Vilkene County destroyed approximately 400 bee colonies by spraying a blossoming canola field with insecticides. The local beekeepers demanded that the Danish company compensate the value of the bee colonies and honey harvest lost – LVL 200 to LVL 250 per colony. Valmiera Court was to review the dispute on February 8, but the hearing was put off until March 14 as the sides had begun settlement talks, reports LETA.

"They promised in courtroom to make their proposals to the beekeepers by February 29, but it still has not happened," said Krauze. That is why the union wishes to meet with the Danish ambassador to Latvia, to find out how the Latvian beekeepers could be compensated their losses as soon as possible, so they could launch a new beekeeping season this year.

Krauze also said that foreign businessmen in Latvia should do their business in an honest manner, pursuant to the laws and regulations of Latvia, without doing damage to nature and the community.

"We don't need investors who damage the environment. The state must take urgent action to stop speculative sale of land parcels to foreigners. Agricultural land should only be sold to persons who know how to run their business and have adequate education. Honest business done in accordance with the law will never do damage to nature, nor bees," said Krauze.

The Latvian Beekeepers Union includes 2,150 members. Honey harvest in Latvia is 700 to 2000 tons a year, depending on weather conditions.