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

The absence of extensive monitoring and agrochemical analysis of soil may pose threat to European Union and state aid paid to farmers in Latvia. Also, farmers do not know the amounts of fertilizers needed for soil, whereas consumers cannot know how safe agricultural products are in Latvia, writes LETA.

Currently soil analysis is not compulsory, the cost thereof is carried by farmers. Producers believe that state aid is necessary in this area, whereas State Plant Protection Service proposes linking soil analysis to EU payments, and making it compulsory.

From 2007 to 2011, agrochemical analysis was carried out on 197,000 hectares or 8.4% of agricultural land in Latvia. Although it is more than nothing, such data are non-representative, believes Plant Protection Service's Agrochemicals Department Director Skaidrite Rulle.

The most objective data are for Zemgale province, where soil analysis has been carried out in an area of 111,000 hectares, whereas in Vidzeme, agrochemical analysis has been carried out in a total area of 11,000 hectares, while the total area of agricultural land in Vidzeme is 429,000 hectares.

The EU is currently working on a strategy for soil protection, which will stipulate that EU member states must ensure soil monitoring, based on which distribution of EU funds for rural development will be decided, said Rulle. This, however, will be a non-binding strategic planning document.

Rulle reiterates that soil monitoring is not compulsory in Latvia, except in environmentally-sensitive areas. On the other hand, agrochemical analysis of soil is compulsory for Estonian farmers who apply for EU or state aid. Therefore, agrochemical analysis of about 80% of agricultural land in Estonia has been carried out, and the Estonian authorities have verified data that they may use on various levels.