he forest sector consists of forestry, the tim- • Information Centre in Riga, which provides ber industry, including the chemical process- information to companies of the sector and to T ing of wood, and by making successful use of anyone who is interested in the domestic and for- local and sustainable forest resources, it has become eign market in the sector. The centre operates one of the most active sectors in the Latvian econo- the web site of forest sector - www.latvian- my – one which makes an important investment in wood.lv, stabilising Latvia’s foreign trade balance (Ls 494 mil- The project included a sub-project, “A Public lion in 2003). Exports from the forest sector have Relations Strategy for the Forest Sector” to cover the more than doubled since 1996, achieving a figure of period between 2004 and 2008. A methodology for Ls 682.8 million in 2003, or 41% of total Latvian the participation of representatives of Latvia’s wood- exports in cash terms. The forest sector, indeed, is working industry in international fairs was also one of the country’s leading export sectors. Its com- designed. petitiveness is developing thanks to its ability to One factor which promotes the development of the adapt to the requirements of the export market. forest sector is national government support for According to experts, the forest sector contributes research and for projects. Various research and other between 10 and 14% to Latvia’s GDP and provides projects were conducted in 2003 and 2004 with work to approximately 7% of all of the country’s work- financing from the Forest Development Fund, the ing people. Hunting Economy Development Fund and, since 2003 was a year of stable economic growth in the Latvia’s accession to the EU, from European Union’s sector. Data from SIA Lursoft and the business structural funds, as well. newspaper Dienas Bizness tell us that many compa- Financing from the Forest Development Fund has nies in the forest sector did very well in 2003. There been available to the sector for two years now. The was net turnover growth of several million lats. fund supports scientific research, aid and develop- Factors which helped to ensure this growth include ment programmes, as well as education and training the fact that more money was invested in timber projects. In 2003, there were 32 research and other products with a higher added value. Output and projects with financing of Ls 466,800 in all. In 2004, sales volumes increased, and there were better con- there were 27 projects at a cost of Ls 441,852. ditions in the export markets for timber products. The Hunting Economy Development Fund has The most profitable companies in the forest sector offered financing only since October 2004, but since in 2003 included the joint stock company “Latvijas that time there have been 11 projects at a cost of Ls valsts meΩi” (Latvian State Forests), with profits of Ls 117,000 in all. Money from this fund has been used 13.69 million, as well as the stock company “Latvijas for the following purposes: Finieris” (Latvian Plywood), with Ls 5.84 million. In • To monitor game animals and to protect wildlife terms of net turnover, the top five were “Latvijas populations; Finieris” (Ls 81.74 million), SIA “Nelss” (Ls 52.65 mil- • To conduct scientific research of game animals lion), SIA “Stora Enso MeΩs” (Ls 51.86 million), and populations; “Latvijas valsts meΩi” (Ls 45.88 million) and SIA • To take part in international hunting organisa- “Silva” (Ls 36.55 million). tions; “Latvijas Finieris”, “Nelss”, “Silva” and “Stora Enso • To educate hunters. MeΩs” were the leading exporters in the sector, while Since May 2004, Latvia has had access to financ- “Latvijas Finieris” was also the leading importer. ing from the EU’s European Agricultural Development During the course of 2003, companies in the forest and Guarantee Fund – a total of EUR 9.35 million from sector made major investments in their equity the EU and from Latvia’s co-financing for the forest resources. The volume of non-financial investments sector. This money is to be spent during 2005 and in the sector amounted to Ls 88 million, or 8.2% of 2006. EU aid is available for improving the forest the total volume of non-financial investments. infrastructure, as well as for improving forestry work, Cumulative foreign investment in the equity capital of the primary processing of timber and the sale of for- companies in the forest sector reached a level of Ls est products. Money is also available to forest land 56 million in 2003, or 4.4% of all foreign investment in that is not being used for agriculture, to replant the the equity capital of companies in Latvia. forest in places which have been damaged by forest The development of the forest sector was signifi- fire, and, when needed, to replace less than valuable cantly enhanced by a project that is called “The stands of trees or even species of trees. Jékabpils Wood Industry Technological Park”, which The further development of the forest sector will has received co-financing from the EU’s PHARE 2001 depend on integrated development between the for- ESK programme. It contributed EUR 4.171 million, est sector and related industries. There must be the Latvian government added EUR 834,000, and investments which are commensurate to the invest- partners provided co-financing of EUR 1.056 million. ment which the sector makes in the national economy and its development. The project led to the establishment of: In the summer of 2002, project experts who began - Industrial park and Knowledge Centre in Jékabpils work on Latvian national programme of the forest - Industrial park and Competence Centre in Ventspils sector and related industries prepared reports on two - Forest Sector Knowledge Centre, that includes: of the stages in the process. They organised several • Forest and Wood Research and Development seminars and drafted strategic goals for the develop- Institute (www.e-koks.lv) in Jelgava that; ment of the forest sector. offers support to the development of high Further on in this booklet you will find much more er education and ongoing adult education; detailed information about the forest sector, its indi- includes technology centre with several cators, and the various issues which are of impor- laboratories where timber products are tance to it. developed and tested. FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 1 ver the last 10 years, the forest these are issues which are of great impor- sector has become one of the most tance for the forest and its sustainable O important sectors of the economy, management. Latvia supports and imple- one which has developed successfully ments resolutions that have been accept- under conditions of a market economy. ed at the Ministerial Conference on the This development has been facilitated by Protection of Forests in Europe. Latvia several factors – a high-quality and acces- takes into account the activities of the sible structure of raw materials, forest Baltic region “Baltic 21”, and it takes part resources, long-standing traditions and in international working groups and de- knowledge and, no less importantly, the bates over forest-related issues. ability of the state and the interest groups In accordance with the FP and with an in the sector to reach agreement on the eye on achieving its goals, the govern- long term development goals for the for- ment has developed and improved forest– est sector and on a strategy that is to help related laws. Latvian National Programme in achieving those goals. Latvia’s Forest of the Forest Sector and Related Indust- Policy (FP) was approved by the Cabinet ries has been developed. of Ministers on April 28, 1998. Major international processes and The main goal of the FP is to ensure institutions which relate to the forest and sustainable management of forests and include Latvian participation: forest land. • The United Nations Forum on In the context of the FP, “sustainable” Forests (UNFF) management is defined as the ‘’steward- • The United Nations/Economic ship and use of forest and forest land in a Commission for Europe/Timber way, and at a rate, that maintains their Committee (UN/ECE/TC) biodiversity, productivity, regeneration • The United Nations/Food and capacity, vitality and their potential to ful- Agriculture Organisation/Euro- fil, now and in the future, relevant ecolog- pean Forestry Commission ical, economic and social functions, at (UN/FAO/EFC) local, national, and global levels, and that • The Ministerial Conference on the does not cause damage to other ecosys- Protection of Forests in Europe tems." (the Helsinki Resolution No. 1). (MCPFE) These are the goals of the FP: • The Working Party on Forestry of * To ensure that the overall amount of the Council of the European forest land does not decline, that the Union productivity and value of the forest is • The Standing Forestry Committee preserved and increased, and that land of the European Commission that is not being used for agriculture or • An agenda for the Baltic Sea re- other purposes is afforested; gion in the 21st century (Baltic 21) * To ensure the sustainable develop- • The Committee of Senior Officials ment and profitability of the forest sec- of the Nordic States, Estonia, tor, taking all ecological and social cir- Latvia and Lithuania in the Field cumstances into account and ensuring of Agriculture/Forestry (CSO-NB8) maximum added value; • The International Union of Forest * To maintain and preserve the existing Research Organisations (IUFRO) level of biological diversity; * To balance the interests of the public and of forest owners in terms of mak- ing use of the social values of the for- est and establishing work relationships in the sector; * To ensure the necessary knowledge and skills for improving forest policy, laws and practices and for enhancing the sustainable development of the for- est by promoting the development of education, science and the circulation of information in the forest sector. The FP is based on the Latvian consti- tution, on international conventions and treaties to which the Republic of Latvia is party, on international agreements that have been signed by the government, on national forest management traditions and experience, and on scientifically demon- strated aspects of nature, society and economics in Latvia. Latvia is actively involved in global LATVIA’S FOREST POLICY AND GOVERNANCE OF THE SECTOR processes which relate to mitigating cli- mate changes and the levels of pollution –

2 FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA GOVERNANCE OF THE FOREST SECTOR Consultations are available at VMD offices or on site in the forests of various owners. The structure of governance in the forest sector can be seen in this image: Training and practical skills on forestry issues are made available to forest own- ers, students and other interested parties Ministry of Agriculture along 46 forest trails that have been set up by 21 of the VMD’s territorial units. Forest Deputy state secretary The State Forest Service is also Advisory for forestry Board charged with overseeing the situation in Department game management in Latvia, making sure Department of that everyone takes relevant laws and Forest Policy of Forest Resources norms into account. The VMD helps to protect forests against fire, disease and pests. In accordance with Latvia’s law on species and habitats, the VMD specifies microrestricted areas in forested territo- ries. The VMD maintains and updates the JSC State Forest Service “Latvian State Forests” forest register, makes sure that laws and other norms are observed, and offers information to the public about the forest Advisor Supervisor Monitoring and about what occurs in the forest.

THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE improved. It also provides public information about how the THE JOINT STOCK COMPANY The Ministry of resources are used; “LATVIAN STATE FORESTS” Agriculture (ZM) is * The Ministry of Agriculture supervises the central executive the State Forest Service, and it also The joint institution, and its holds shares in the joint stock compa- stock com- main job is to work ny “Latvian State Forests”, which man- pany “Lat- together with other ages the forests that are owned by the vian State institutions of gover- state. Forests” nance in designing and then implementing (LVM) man- national policies in the areas of agricul- ages the forested properties which belong ture, forestry and fishing, as well as to co- STATE FOREST SERVICE to the state and can be used for commer- ordinate the activities of these sectors. cial purposes. At this writing the LVM is The Forest Sector of the ZM is made up State Forest managing 1.6 million hectares of land, the Department of Forest Policy and Service (VMD) is including 1.37 million hectares of forest. Department of Forest Resources. Their a civilian govern- The LVM implements the state’s inter- job is to carry out the normative functions ment institution ests in forest management, ensuring that in the forest sector and to co-ordinate which is under the value of the forest is preserved and support for the sector. the aegis of the enhanced and that the state receives as In co-operation with stakeholders, the ZM Ministry of Agr- much income from the forest as possible. engages in the following functions: culture. It is res- In its economic activities, the LVM always * It elaborates policies and develop- ponsible for the takes into account the social and ecolog- ment strategies for the forest sector, implementation of unified forest policy in ical functions of the forest, ensuring that drafts norms on forest management, all of the country’s forests, it supervises the environment of the forest and the the use of forest resources, the pro- the implementation of norms which regu- important cultural, historical and recre- tection of the natural environment in late the management and use of the for- ational objects that are found in the forest the forest and the game management. est, and it implements support pro- are preserved and maintained. The ministry also manages the devel- grammes that are aimed at ensuring sus- The LVM operates in the entire life opment of Latvian National Programme tainable forestry in Latvia. cycle of the forest. It collects, processes of Forest Sector and Related Indus- The VMD is made up of a central office and stores seed and cultivates forest tries; and territorial units which carry out its planting stock. That is the job for one of * It represents Latvia’s forest sector in functions in their relevant territories. One the LVM’s structures, “Séklas un stådi” international organisations and special unit is the Forest Research (Seeds and Plants). The next phase in the processes, co-ordinating international Station, which was established so as to life cycle of the forest is forestry work that co-operation and preparing interna- ensure ongoing studies of forest manage- is implemented by the LVM structural unit tional agreements; ment and other issues. called “MeΩs” (Forest). This unit plants, * It co-ordinates public relations in The employees of the VMD are tends and grows trees until they are at the relation to issues that have to do with charged with ensuring that those who ma- age at which they can be harvested. It the forest sector, conducting public nage the forest know, understand and also sells standing trees. Another LVM opinion research and facilitating grea- take notice of the norms which regulate unit, “Apa¬koksnes piegådes” (Round- ter understanding about the forest the management of the forest and that wood Supplies) prepares and sells round- sector; they make use of good forestry principles. wood at its own facilities. Finally, there is * It analyses, evaluates and models the The VMD sees education among those the LVM unit “Rekreåcija un medîbas” situation with forest resources, making who manage the forest as a key priority. (Recreation and Hunting), which offers proposals on how the productivity and There is a special system to provide con- high quality services in these areas. use of forest resources could be sultations and training to forest owners. The volume of timber which the LVM

FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 3 The activities of the joint stock company “Latvian State Forests”

manages increases by around 7 million cubic metres each year, and the annual cutting volume is always around 4 million cubic metres. This ensures a stable and predictable flow of raw materials in Latvia’s timber industry. The LVM is a flourishing enterprise, with turnover of Ls 46 million in 2003 and saplings more than Ls 50 million in 2004. Each year the LVM contributes more than Ls 17 million to state and local government budgets. All of the forests that are managed by the LVM are certified on the basis of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) system. The certificate confirms that the LVM manages its forests in a gentle, far-sight- ed and economically advantageous way, making sure that the ecological and social interests on the public are always taken into account.

Additional information is available at: http://www.lvm.lv

4 FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA aws and regulations have been pre- sued a series of regulations which are sec- pared and approved in Latvia for the ondary to the Law on Forests: L implementation of forest policy. * Regulations on Forest Repro- The LAW ON THE STATE FOREST ductive Material (No. 648, November SERVICE took effect on January 1, 2000, 19, 2003), as amended (No. 413, April and was amended on March 21, 2002, 22, 2004) define the way in which sources October 10, 2002 and November 25, 2004. of reproductive materials are to be regis- It specifies the structure and general func- tered, the quality and certification require- tions of the service, the rights and legal ments which apply to these materials, and protections of its employees, the way in the procedure for the marketing and uti- which officials take decisions and those lization of materials (including genetically decisions can be disputed, and the provi- modified materials). On June 30, 2004, the sion of the resources which are necessary Ministry of Agriculture issued instruc- for the service’s operations. The service tions “On the fee that is charged for an supervises the implementation of norms evaluation of the compliance of a source which regulate forest management and of reproductive materials with attestation use throughout the country. Other func- requirements.” tions for the service are set out by norms * Regulations on Forest Regene- which regulate forest management and ration (No. 398, September 11, 2001), as the competence of the service therein. amended (No. 467, November 6, 2001) “Regulations on the Statutes of the define schedules for forest regeneration in State Forest Service” (No. 945, Novem- relation to various kinds of growing condi- ber 16, 2004) were approved in accor- tions, the criteria which are used to declare dance with the law on national gover- that a stand of forest is regenerated, as nance. They specify the functions, duties well as criteria for evaluating the way in and competence of the service, the struc- which regenerated forest stands (young ture of the service, the competence of its stands) are tended. officials, the way in which the legality of * Regulations on Afforestation and the service’s operations is to be ensured, Plantation Forests (March 6, 2001) and the order in which the service submits speak to the criteria for inspecting the es- the report on performance of its functions tablishment and maintenance of forest and use of its resources. stands, the procedure for creating and reg- istering plantation forests, as well as the The LAW ON FORESTS which took effect procedure for managing plantation forests on March 16, 2000, is aimed at ensuring that and felling trees therein. forests in Latvia are managed in accordance * Regulations on Tree Felling on Fo- with the basic principles of sustainable forest rested Land (April 9, 2002) set out the management. The law applies to the forest primary criteria for felling and thinning – the and forested land, and it applies to the minimal and critical basal area of the forest owners or legal holders of forested land, as stand, the procedure for defining same, the well as to other individuals who make use final felling average and the procedure for of the products and the environment of the specifying this on the basis of the dominant forest. The law covers such issues as tree species and site index, the maximum one’s right to be present in the forest, the area and width for clear felling, the proce- felling of trees, use of forest non-timber va- dure for concluding that a forest is non- lues, forest reproductive material, forest productive, the procedure for felling trees regeneration, afforestation, protection of that have been infected by disease or in- the forest, information, environmental pro- vaded by pests, the process for establish- tection, issuance of certification, transfor- ing felling sites, and the process for felling mation of forested land, and alienation of trees in emergency situations. the state forest land.. * Regulations on Nature Protection AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW ON FO- Requirements in Forest Management RESTS (March 13, 2003) provide more (No. 189, May 8, 2001) determine general detailed rules about the felling of trees in nature protection requirements with res- those cases when a forest land that is pect to forest management, nature protec- owned or legally held is divided up into two tion requirements with respect to final or more segments as a result of legal tran- felling and thinning, restrictions on eco- sactions. nomic activity during the reproduction sea- AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW “ON son of animals, conservation of specially THE TAKING EFFECT OF THE CRIMI- protected forest areas registered by the NAL LAW AND THE PROCEDURE FOR National Forest Register until the decision SAME” (May 29, 2002) amend the law to is taken by the responsible State institution, define criteria on the basis of which law as well as order of their evaluation. enforcement institutions can define threats or serious threats against legally protected * Amendments to Cabinet of Ministers interests and rights in the preservation of Regulation No. 189 of May 8, 2001, the forest environment. “Nature Protection Requirements in The Cabinet of Ministers has also is- Forest Management” (No. 83, February LAWS RELATED TO PROTECTING THE FOREST AND THE ENVIRONMENT

FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 5 26, 2002) specify the procedure for taking July 27, 2004) define the procedure for * The Statutes of the Hunting inventories of specially protected forest management of scientific research fo- Development Fund (No. 123, March 2, areas and protected forest habitats and rests. 2004). These regulations specify the pro- define the list of protected areas and * The annual allowable cut in the state’s cedure for establishing, managing and habitats that are registered in the National forests between 2001 and 2005 is defined in using the Hunting Development Fund. In Forest Register which must be kept until Cabinet of Ministers Instruction No. 117, accordance with these regulations, the the relevant government institution ap- February 28, 2001, On the Maximum Ministry of Agriculture has issued instruc- proves or rejects the establishment of a Volume of Felling of Trees, 2001-2005) tions “On the Council of the Hunting micro restricted area. (No. 117, February 28, 2001), as amen- Development Fund” (No. 143, April 1, * Regulations on Procedures to ded (No. 117, November 17, 2004). 2004). Protect the Forest and to Declare The law ON THE PROCEDURE FOR These are the instructions that have Emergency Situations in the Forest TREE FELLING ON FOREST LAND been issued by the Ministry of Agriculture: (No. 217, May 29, 2001), as amended THAT HAS BEEN TURNED OVER FOR * On amendments to Instruction No. (No. 295, July 3, 2001, and No. 802, THE PERMANENT USE OF NATURAL 184 the Ministry of Agriculture, June September 21, 2004), set out steps that PERSONS (2003) defines the rights of 6, 2003, “On Approving Fee-Based are to be taken in protecting the forest, individuals who have been granted perma- Services” (No. 289, August 31, 2004); the procedure and steps for same, and nent use and the boundaries of such land * On the procedure for determining the way in which emergency situations are have been allocated in situ to the order the cost of hunting rights in territories to be declared in cases of forest fires, the set out in the law. which belong to the state (No. 319, outbursts of forest pests or the epidemic The law ON HUNTING took effect on December 10, 2003); spread of forest diseases. August 6, 2003, and it regulates the basic * A methodology for calculating * Procedures for Transforming hunting management regulations. These material losses that have been caused Forest Land (No. 806, September 28, are the secondary normative acts that to farming and forestry by game ani- 2004) define rules for the transformation have been approved in the context of the mals (No. 7, March 8, 2004); of forest land, the way in which applica- law: * A methodology for accounting of tions for transformation are submitted, re- Cabinet of Ministers regulations: game animals and calculating the viewed and approved, and the procedure * Hunting Regulations (No. 760, maximum allowable number of limited for calculating and compensating the December 23, 2003), as amended (No. game animals that can be hunted in losses that are caused to the state as a 48, March 26, 2004), define the game hunting areas (No. 8, March 10, 2004); result of the transformation. animal species, time periods when they * “On the Council of the Hunting * Regulations Concerning the Cir- can be hunted, as well as cases when Development Fund” (No. 143, April 1, culation of Information in the National hunting is permitted outside of those 2004). Forest Register (No. 169, April 15, hunting time periods; the procedure for an The ANIMAL PROTECTION LAW 2003) define the process for maintaining application to hunt; the procedure for (December 9, 1999), as amended on the National Forest Register, the proce- documenting hunting process and the December 6, 2001, December 27, 2002, dure for forest inventories and for issuing content of hunting district plans; the February 6, 2003 and July 8, 2003, also certification, as well as the information rights and obligations of the head of the has related Cabinet of Ministers Regu- that must be included in an application for hunt; procedures for the use of a hunting lations, including “The Procedure for certification, the information that must be firearm and hunting ammunition, as well Holding Wild Animals Used for Extrac- provided by the owner or legal holder of as security requirements for hunting; the tion of Animal Products or for Species the forest, the way in which such informa- use of pure bred hunting dogs in hunting; Selection in Enclosed Territories” (No. tion is to be submitted, and the profes- the procedure for handling game animals 180, April 15, 2003). It sets out the pro- sional requirements for those who inven- that have died of causes other than hunt- cedure whereby wild animals can be kept tory the forest and plan forest manage- ing; capture or keeping in captivity. in enclosures such as deer farms, wild ment. * Regulations on the state fee for bird farms and fur-bearing animal farms – * Regulations on the Procedure for issuance of a hunter’s certificate, sea- those animals that are used for the Forest Monitoring (No. 212, May 22, sonal hunter’s card and hunting permit, extraction of animal products or for the 2001) specify the content of evaluating for issuance of a permit for a foreign selection of species. the health of trees in the forest and the hunter to hunt in the territory of Latvia Along with laws which directly regulate condition of forest ecosystems, as well as and for issuance of permit to export the forest management and utilisation, the requirements that must be observed in hunting trophies from Latvia, as well as requirements that are set out in the area monitoring areas. on the procedure for exporting hunting of nature protection and the preservation * The Procedure for Determining trophies (No. 109, March 2, 2004); of biological diversity must also be taken Losses Caused to the Forest (No. 228, * Regulations on the training of into account. These include: April 29, 2003) defines the way of hunters and heads of hunts, the pro- * THE LAW “ON SPECIALLY PRO- calculating losses to the forest which have gramme to test knowledge and practi- TECTED NATURE TERRITORIES” (March been caused by people who violate laws cal skills, and the procedure for issu- 2, 1993), as amended (October 30, 1997, and regulations on the management and ing certificates for hunters and heads February 28, 2002, December 12, 2002 utilisation of the forest. of hunts (No. 110, March 2, 2004); and November 20, 2003). * The Procedure for Felling Trees * Regulations on compensating the * THE LAW “ON RESTRICTED ZONES” Outside of Forest Land (No. 416, No- losses which natural or legal persons (February 25, 1997), as amended (Feb- vember 28, 2001) defines requirements cause by violating the requirements ruary 21, 2002 and June 19, 2003). that must be observed by the owners or that are set out in hunting-related reg- * THE LAW “ON THE PROTECTION OF legal holders of land when felling trees ulations, the volume of such compen- SPECIES AND HABITATS (March 16, outside of forest land that is owned or sation, and the procedure and volume 2000). legally held. of compensation for unlawfully obtai- The law “ON SPECIALLY PROTECT- * The Procedure for Management of ned hunting products (No. 111, March ED NATURE TERRITORIES” defines Scientific Research Forests (No. 630, 2, 2004); seven categories of specially protected

6 FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA nature areas – strict nature reserves, na- * Regulations on Nature Reserves tional parks, biosphere reserves, nature (No. 212, June 15, 1999), as amended parks, nature monuments, nature reserves (No. 270, June 26, 2001, No. 586, October and protected landscape areas. Strict 21, 2003, No. 266, April 8, 2004 and No. nature reserves, national parks and bios- 704, August 10, 2004); phere reserves are defined by Parliament * “Regulations on Protected Landscape through law, while the Cabinet of Minis- Territories” (No. 69, February 23, 1999), as ters defines other categories. Local gov- amended (No. 174, April 30, 2002 and No. ernments can also establish nature reser- 265, April 8, 2004). ves, nature parks and natural monuments The LAW ON PROTECTED ZONES is that are of importance in the preservation aimed at defining various kinds of protect- of nature in a specific territory. Res- ed zones, speaking to their types, their ponsible ministers can propose individual functions, the principles for their estab- protection and usage requirements for lishment, the procedure for monitoring specific protected territory. their maintenance and condition, as well There are four strict nature reserves in as limitations on economic activity within Latvia, at Moricsala, Grîñi, Krustkalni and the zones. There are a number of relevant Teiçi. Each of these has a separate law Cabinet of Ministers regulations: on its protection and management (adop- * The Methodology for Specifying Pro- ted on March 16, 2000, in all four ca- tected Zones Along the Shore of the Baltic ses). Strict nature reserves are places Sea and the Bay of Rîga (No. 86, February which remain virtually or entirely untou- 17, 2004); ched by human interference. Natural pro- * The Methodology for Specifying Pro- cesses can develop without hindrance, tected Zones Along Bodies of Water and and the aim is to protect and to study rare Flowing Water” (No. 284, August 4, 1998); or typical ecosystems and their compo- * The Methodology for Specifying nents. Protected Zones Alongside Cities (No. 63, The Northern Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve February 4, 2003); was created by special law on December * Regulations Concerning the Metho- 11, 1997. The aim of the biosphere reserve dology for Specifying Protected Use Zo- in national and international terms is to nes Around Land Reclamation Struc- achieve a balance between protecting the tures and Equipment on Land that is diversity of nature, promoting economic Used for Agriculture and on Forest development and preserving cultural va- Land (No. 258, May 13, 2003). lues. The goals of the LAW ON PROTECT- Latvia has three national parks, at Gauja, ING SPECIES AND BIOTOPES are the Slîtere and emeri. These are huge territo- following: ries with outstanding natural formations, * To ensure biological diversity and to untouched landscapes, habitat diversity, a conserve the fauna, flora and biotopes wealth of cultural and historical monuments, that are characteristic of Latvia; and specifics of the local cultural minority. * To regulate the protection, manage- Each of the three parks is protected by a ment and supervision of species and bio- special law, adopted on May 30, 2001, for topes; emeri, on December 16, 1999, for * To promote the conservation of pop- Gauja, and on March 16, 2000, for Slîtere. ulations and biotopes in line with eco- The law “On Specially Protected Natu- nomic and social conditions and cultural re Territories” also led to the adoption of a and historical traditions; number of legal acts by the Cabinet of * To regulate the procedure for defining Ministers: specially protected species and biotopes. * “Regulations on the General Protec- Subordinated to the law are the follow- tion and Use of Specially Protected ing Cabinet of Ministers regulations: Protected Species or Habitats (No. Territories” (No. 415, July 22, 2003); * Regulations on the List of Specially 117, March 13, 2001); * “Criteria for Establishing Protected Protected Species and Specially Protected * The Procedure for Specifying Sig- Nature Territories in Latvia that are of Species of Limited Use (No. 396, November nificant Losses Caused to Land Users by European Significance (Natura 2000)” 14, 2000, No. 627, July 27, 2004); Specially Protected Non-Game Species or (No. 199, May 28, 2002); * Regulations on the List of Spe- Migrating Species (No. 345, July 31, 2001); * “Regulations on Nature Parks” (No. cially Protected Habitats (No. 421, May * Regulations on the Estab- 83, March 9, 1999), as amended (No. 331, 12, 2000); lishment, Protection and Management September 28, 1999, No. 136, April 11, * The procedure for Issuing Permits of Micro Reserves (No. 45, January 2000, No. 118, March 18, 2003, No. 267, to Take Individual Animals from Non- 30, 2001), in relations to which the April 8, 2004, and No. 703, August 10, Game Species, to Bring (Introduce) Ministry of Agriculture issued instructions 2004); Atypical Wild Animals into Latvia, and on “The Methodology for Specifying * “Regulations on Protected Dendro- to Restore in Nature (Reintroduce) Forest Habits to Which Micro Reserves logical Plantations” (No. 131, March 20, Populations of Animals (No. 34, Ja- are Applied” (No. 7, November 9, 2001), 2001); nuary 23, 2001); as well as rules on “Experts Who Have * “Regulations on Protected Geo- * Regulations Concerning Compen- the Right to Offer Conclusions About logical or Geomorphological Nature Mo- sation of Losses Caused by the Des- the Establishment of Micro Reserves numents” (No. 175, April 17, 2001); truction or Damage of Specially (No. 260, July 28, 2004).

FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 7 ince the restoration of Latvia’s inde- years. The state owns 50.9% of forest, pendence, there have been proces- 45.5% of the land covered by forest is S ses of land privatisation and resto- owned or legally held by private individu- ration of property rights, and these have als, and local governments manage 3.7% led to changes in the different types of of the total amount of forest area in forest ownership. This structure has not Latvia. changed very much for the last eight

The distribution of forest by status of ownership 2003

Source: State Land Service

Forest land is becoming increasingly with the 17,000 hectares sold in 2003. expensive. The average price rose by 21% in The most active market is observed in 2004, as compared to 2003. In 2004 the Vidzeme and Latgale where more than amount of land sold has decreased. 54% of all forest land on the market is Approximately 13, 000 hectares were sold sold. by the end of November 2004 in comparison

Transactions involving forest land, by districts of Latvia, ha

Source: State Land Service

The number of transactions involving forest ber of concluded transactions was 1,175. It has land has declined by around 20%, and at the to be added, however, that in financial terms, the end of 2004, there were fewer than 1,000 trans- market has not changed. THE STRUCTURE OF FOREST OWNERSHIP AND MARKET OF FOREST LAND actions on the year, whereas in 2003, the num-

8 FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA The number of transactions involving forest land, ha

2004

187

Source: State Land Service

FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 9 FOREST AREA

Latvia is a heavily forested country, with 44.7% of the territory covered by forest - 2,923,200 hectares in all. Latvia is one of the most heavily forested countries in Europe, where, on average, forest covers 33% of the land area. There are 1.25 hectares of for- est for each resident of Latvia - 4.5 times more than the European average.

Types of land use in Latvia

Source: State Land Service

THE DENSITY OF FOREST COVER BY REGIONS

The most heavily forested regions of Latvia are Kurzeme and Vidzeme, as opposed to Latgale and Zemgale. There are significant differences in the forest cover percent in the various districts, ranging between 28.8% in the Jelgava District to 63.9% of the land in the Ventspils District. The largest proportion of state-owned forest is found in Kurzeme and Zemgale, while the structure of ownership in Vidzeme and Latgale involves a greater share of privately owned forests.

Forest density in Latvia FOREST RESOURCES, THEIR USE AND PROTECTION

% %

Source: State Forest Service

10 FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA GROWING STOCK TRENDS IN FELLING Between 1992 and 2003, the volume of tree felling in Latvia has The total growing stock of trees in forests of Latvia is equal to increased from 4 million to 12 million m3 per year - three times 578 million m3. This is an increase of 3.3 times over the begin- more. That is because private forests have been intensively ning of the 20th century. Over the last 20 years, the growing incorporated in economic activity, and there have been changes stock has increased by 194 million m3, or nearly 10 million m3 per in norms which govern the forest management. The volume of year. This is because the total area of forest land has increased felling has stabilised over the last several years. and because an increase in the growing stock has been a key aspect of forestry work. Development of felling volume

Development of the growing stock

* Volume of felled timber calculated for 12 months Source: State Forest Service ** Volume of felled timber specified by experts TREE SPECIES Source: State Forest Service In most of Latvia, forests are dominated by three species of tree - pine, spruce and birch. Forest stands of these tree species cover In 2003, 80% of felled timber, as calculated in cubic metres, was 87% of all forest area and represent 92% of the growing stock. felled in the main felling, 16% was felled in thinnings, 1.3% - in san- In state-owned forests, coniferous trees make up 68% of all for- itary felling, 0.7% - in reconstructive felling, 0.7% - in illegal felling, est stands, while in forests that are owned by others, pine and and 1% - in other types of felling. spruce make up only 43% of the total area of forest stands FOREST REGENERATION

The distribution of tree species in all forests, 2003 The volume of forest regeneration in 2003 was greater than ever before - 29,411 hectares in all. 35% of this volume (10,408 ha) in- volved artificial regeneration, and 65% (19,003 ha) involved natural regeneration. In state-owned forests, 66% of regeneration was arti- ficial, while in other ownership forests it was just 18%. Replanting of trees involved pine (19.2%), spruce (31.4%), birch (33.2%), aspen (11.0%), grey alder (3.8%), common alder (0.9%) and other species of trees.

Trends in forest regeneration

14189 17446

10906

Spruce

Source: State Forest Service Source: State Forest Service

FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 11 FOREST ESTABLISHMENT

In 2003, a total of 1,065.6 hectares of forest were established on land that was not being used for the purpose of agriculture. This was mostly done by private owners of land. The process involved birch (693.9 ha), spruce (261.6 ha), pine (103 ha) and other trees (7.1 ha)

Trends in forest establishment

Source: State Forest Service

DAMAGE TO FOREST STANDS

Damage and even destruction to forest stands can be caused by a number of fac- tors, including weather conditions, the density of wildlife populations, the activities of human beings, etc. In 2003 there was a smaller amount of destroyed forest stands than had been the case in the previous three years.

Destroyed forest stands, 1993-2003

Source: State Forest Service

12 FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA NATURE PROTECTION HUNTING RESOURCES

In order to protect the environment in forested areas, the Latvian The most important game animals in Latvia are elk, red deer, government sets out areas that are specifically protected – roe deer and wild boar. Since the latter part of the 1990s, the nature reserves, national parks, etc. There are also protected populations of these animals have gradually increased in all zones and other protected territories in which management cases. activities are limited. 69% of all forestland where limitations are in place is found in state-owned forests.

The proportion of restrictions of forest management activities in all forests

2000/01

Estimate Bag limit Actual kill Source: State Forest Service Source: State Forest Service The area of protected forest area (ha)

Protection category State-owned forests Other kinds of forests All forests

Strict nature reserves Including: 7,576.5 921.3 8,497.8 • Strict regime zones 2,802.8 0.0 2,802.8 • Regulated regime zones 4,773.7 104.6 4,878.3 • Buffer zones 0 816.7 816.7

National parks Including: 43,959.8 32,703.6 76,663.4 • Strict nature reserve zone 6,084.5 61.3 6,145.8 • Nature reserve zone 19,438.9 12,150.8 31,589.7 • Landscape protection zone 16,695.5 15,266.7 31,962.2 • Cultural or historical zone 258.9 720.1 979.0 • Neutral zone 14824,504.7 5,986.7

Nature reserves 59,502.7 11,960.2 71,462.9 Northern Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve 2254.6 486.2 2740.8 Nature parks 19,618.3 18,763.7 38,382.0 Protected landscape areas 14,852.1 42,549.1 57,401.2 Protected dendrological plantations 468.7 61.2529.9 Protected geological and geomorphological nature monuments 547.1 591.7 1138.8 Micro-reserves 14,530.4 379.6 14,910.0 Buffer zones around micro-reserves 17,584.9 127.7 17,712.6 Protected belt of dunes along the Baltic Sea and Bay of Riga 4,468.22,607.67,075.8 Belt of limited economic activity along the Baltic Sea 45,760.9 22,861.1 68,622.0 Protected zones along waterways* 4,482.3 7,752.8 12,235.1 Protected zones along wetlands* 3,260 1,410.2 4,670.2 Protected zone surrounding urban territories 14,311.1 29,641.2 43,952.3 Forests within the administrative territories of cities 49.6 472.6 522.2 Specially protected forest areas 53,192.7 7,231.9 60,424.6 Total area of protected forests 282,706.5 169,291.9 451,998.4

* Data about restricted zones along waterways and wetlands are incomplete. Source: State Forest Service

FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 13 he timber industry is Latvia’s second chips and sawdust increased by 55.4% largest industrial sector, producing and 126.5% respectively in terms of value. T approximately 17% of the added In most of Europe, indicators concern- value in the industrial world (the food pro- ing the production, import and export of cessing industry is in first place with roundwood did not change very signifi- 33%). cantly between 2002 and 2003, and no There are between 34,000 and 40,000 major changes are being forecast for people who have found employment at com- future years either. panies which process timber. The sector is present in all of Latvia’s administrative dis- SAWNWOOD tricts, and according to the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB), timber industry and related Production of sawnwood by volume processes are the main sector of industry and value today in the Aizkraukle, Alüksne, Césis, Jelgava, Kuldîga, Liepåja, Madona, Rézekne, Valka and Ventspils districts. In terms of the overall value of exports in 2003, the timber industry led the pack among all industrial products. The EU is Latvia’s leading trade partner, and exports in real prices increased by 17% in 2003 overall, and by 20% in trade with the EU’s 15 mem- ber states. Export volumes in 2003 increased in all commodity groups, but this was particularly true in the export of timber Source: Department of Forest Policy (ZM). products, which represented 45% of total growth in the export volume. A rapid increase in production prices

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY A total of 86% of the timber that is used could be seen in the fields of furniture man- for industrial purposes in Latvia goes toward ufacturing and timber processing in 2003 – the production of sawnwood. This is an area up by 9.7% and 6.1% respectively over the which has seen extensive development since same figures in 2002. Production prices in 1993 – output has increased 10 times over, 2003 declined by 1.3% in the production of and the value of that output has increased paper and cardboard. Production prices in by a factor of 15. In 2003, Latvia produced the furniture-making field rose much more a total of around 4 million m3 of sawnwood, quickly in relation to exported products, and 3.24 million m3 of that (75%) was while in the timber processing industry, the intended for export. prices increased more rapidly in relation to It is expected that the output of sawn- products that are sold in the local market. wood will not prove to have changed much in 2004, remaining at around 4 million m3. ROUNDWOOD Any changes in that volume would be attrib- uted largely to increased imports of sawn- In the area of roundwood, the most wood, because there are increasing num- important process is production of sawn- bers of companies which import sawnwood wood (54.2% of all roundwood use), fol- and then process it further. If there were lowed by export of roundwood in the form 157,900 m3 of sawnwood imports in 2002, of fuelwood or pulpwood (30%), and then then there were 459,2000 m3 of such the production of plywood, matches, log imports in 2003, mostly from Russia, Belarus houses, poles, stakes, charcoal, etc. and Estonia. Roundwood exports declined by 7.2% Both the quality and the price of Latvian in volume between 2002 and 2003 and by sawnwood have increased. Major consumers 0.6% in terms of overall value. Exports in the domestic market are furniture and furni- amounted to 3,922,100 m3 of roundwood ture component manufacturers (32%), building (45% softwood, 55% hardwood). The material manufacturers (windows, doors, main export markets for roundwood have flooring, etc. – 46%), as well as producers of been Sweden, Finland and Germany. carpentry and household products, including Roundwood imports in 2003 were up packaging materials (22%). by 18.1% over 2002 by volume and by Over the last several years, there has 38.5% in terms of value. A total of been greater competition in this sector when 459,200 m3 of roundwood were imported, it comes to forest resources, the labour primarily from Russia, Lithuania and force and the cost of energy. All of this has Belarus. led to a rapid concentration of sawmill Export of fuelwood increased by 54% capacity and a decline in the number of in volume and by 84.3% in value in 2003. companies which operate in this area. The greatest increase in exports was seen Among 550 companies at this time (as com- in the area of roundwood fuelwood (121% pared to 1,250 in 1994), only about 10 sa- by volume, 149.6% by value). The import wmills are really competitive. They use mod- of fuelwood also increased in terms of ern technologies and produce most of the value and volume in 2003. Export of wood sawnwood output in Latvia. Technologies

14 FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA are being improved, and the largest compa- In 2003, the import of particle board exports to Europe are expected to dou- nies have installed drying and sorting equip- and of fibreboard increased by 36% and ble. ment. Solutions are being found to add va- 18% respectively over 2002. The production of building and car- lue to products. Companies specialise in pentry materials of wood has developed the production of planed and impregnated PRODUCTS WITH A HIGH ADDED very rapidly over the last five years – products. Small and medium sawmills are VALUE windows, doors, finishing materials, etc. more likely to be focused on niche products, The value of output has increased 10 including the production of sawn compo- Among products with a high added times over since 1993, and the sector nents from hardwood. value, furniture represents the most represents 7% of the total value of tim- It is predicted that the production of important segment (36% of all pro- ber industry output. sawnwood from softwood will increase a bit ducts). In 2003, as compared to 2002, the in Europe. More rapid growth in this indica- Furniture that was manufactured in export of building and carpentry materi- tor is expected in Eastern Europe, not least Latvia in 2003 was worth Ls 90.5 million als increased by 12%, and import of because the large Nordic forestry companies in all – up by 11.3% over the figure in such materials increased by 38%. will be using the timber for raw materials, 2002. A total of 80% of the furniture was It is expected that growth in the man- but also because local industries will be tak- exported, with a total value of Ls 72.3 ufacturing of building and carpentry ing advantage of production costs. million. The main export destinations materials will slow down in Western were Denmark, Germany and the UK. WOOD-BASED PANELS There were imports of furniture at a Export of builder's joinery, value of Ls 23.4 million, with furniture carpentry and wooden packaging Output of plywood has tripled since coming mostly from Poland, Lithuania materials by value 1993, and the value of output has and Italy. increased five times over. This has been There are opportunities for further achieved largely through an increase in development of furniture manufacturing added value, because the per-unit con- in Latvia, and the priorities now are sumption of timber has not increased over investments in human resources and the last few years. Latvia is the leading technologies. There are some 400 com- producer of plywood, mostly for the con- panies, mostly small and medium-sized, struction industry, in Eastern Europe, and which are engaged in furniture-making both the production and the use of ply- in Latvia at this time, and they provide wood continues to expand. employment for some 12,900 individu- In 2003, export and import volumes als. Source: Department of Forest Resources (ZM) alike increased a little bit over 2002. Investments in modern technologies Data of CSBused. It is predicted that the production of have allowed for successful develop- plywood will decline in Europe, although ment in the manufacturing of solid tim- an increase in output in Eastern Europe ber furniture of pine, birch and alder, as Europe, but in Eastern Europe, the should balance a decline in output in well as of carved and glued components expectation is that strong growth which Western Europe. began in the 1990s will continue to Production of carved plywood has Export of furniture by value develop. developed significantly in the last few Most of the carpentry products that years in Latvia, with tripled output during are produced in Europe are also sold that time. At this time plywood products within the continent. Asia is the only from sliced veneer represent 1.4% of all foreign supplier, and it is achieving an output in the timber industry. increasing foothold in the European Traditions in the production of particle import market. It is expected that this board and fibreboard are long established will continue to be the case. in Latvia, and there is an adequate supply Packaging materials can be produced of raw materials, but the proportion of with comparatively low investments and these products in overall output has simple technologies. These materials are declined from 4% to 1.4% since 1993, produced mostly by small or even micro and in fact the production of fibreboard Source: Department of Forest Resources (ZM) companies, most of which use deciduous has stopped altogether. Data of CSBused. sawnwood of low or average quality. The export value of output has increased sig- Export of plywood and other wood and ready-made furniture. There have nificantly to represent 4% of the total out- based panels by value also been increases in the production of put of the timber industry. In 2003, in upholstered furniture, as well as furni- comparison to 2002, the export and im- ture made of laminated panels or parti- port of packaging materials increased by cle board that is covered with carved around 20%. plywood. The fact that products with a higher It is believed that the furniture-mak- added value are becoming more and ing industry will expand somewhat in more important in the timber industry is Western Europe and a great deal in Eas- made evident by the fact that there has tern Europe. The largest furniture ex- been a greater variety in production porter in Western Europe is Italy, and processes over the last several years – the largest in Eastern Europe is Poland. wooden constructions for home assem- It’s expected, however, that by 2010, bly, garden furniture and equipment, the European furniture market will face wooden toys, etc. Exports of such pro- Source: Department of Forest Resources (ZM) significant exports from Asia – its ducts increased by 17.6% in 2003. Data of CSBused.

FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 15 TRANSPORT res, bark), there are lots of other kinds of waste material that could be used for ransport is a cornerstone for the fuelwood – planing dust, fine milling dust, successful operations of the forest plywood scraps, etc. T sector. Right now wood is being used only to The total length of forest roads at the produce heat, but it would be more econom- end of 2003 was 6,985 km. ic to produce both heat and electricity. That In domestic transport, cargo is mostly would mean a 25% increase in the efficiency transported by truck, and domestic tur- of raw material use. In this co-generation nover of timber cargo in 2003 increased process, heat is the primary product, and by 11.6% over the figure in 2002 (from electricity is a subsidiary output. This would 888.8 to 1,005.3 million tkm). A total of mean lower heating prices. Such projects, some 11 million tonnes of cargo were however, require major investments. In transported. Export turnover in 2003 did order to reduce the dependency of Lat- not change significantly in comparison to via’s heating firms on imported resources 2002, although import turnover increased and to minimise the risk of price increas- significantly (from 24.6 to 96.4 million es, money has to be invested in the con- tkm). version of boilers and the improvement of Ports also play a key role in the trans- heat supply networks. Then Latvia could portation of forest products. After oil pro- use wood in addition to such fuels as oil ducts, timber materials, mineral fertilisers fuel, coal and natural gas. The main ob- and coal are the second most important stacle against such massive projects is group of cargo at Latvia’s ports. There 10 the purchasing power of local residents. ports in Latvia – large ones at Rîga, Countries all over Europe, but particularly Ventspils and Liepåja, where most of the in Scandinavia, are active buyers of wood work focuses on transit services, as well for energy purposes, and so local heat as seven smaller ones which mostly han- producers will have to count on an dle local cargo – primarily timber materi- increase in the cost of these resources. als. Over the last two years, the amount of In 2003 a total of 6,471,400 tonnes of wood that is used in the energy sector has timber materials were shipped from been exported to a much more considerable Latvia, using both Latvian and foreign degree, and prices have increased. Latvia ships (619,700 tonnes from small ports). has become an exporter of such timber Also 1,801,700 tonnes of wood chips products – fuelwood, particles, wood pellets (95,900 from small ports) were shipped. and briquettes. Last year Latvia exported Rail transport is also important in the 1.4 million tonnes of such products in all. transport of forest products – transport volumes were up from 1,042,000 to THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY 1,194,000 tonnes between 2002 and 2003. Construction is one of the most dynamic sectors in the Latvian economy, ENERGY RESOURCES with average annual growth of 9.4% over the last five years. Energy is produced in Latvia through In 2003, construction work increased locally available raw materials (wood, by 11.8% over the previous year. The pro- peat, water, wind) and through imported portion of new building projects has ones (oil, natural gas, coal). increased, particularly in terms of residen- Wood is the most important local energy tial buildings. There has also been greater in terms of volume and use. Fuelwood is an activity in the construction of family important aspect of Latvia’s energy system, homes. Such homes are becoming larger

THE FOREST SECTOR AND RELATED SECTORS and its proportion in the production of heat fancier. At the same time, however, the in particular has been on the rise. This is a number of building permits for summer global shift, because the proportion of homes and garden homes has declined. wood and other biological resources in the When it comes to building private production of heat has been increasing in housing, it is of great importance that all of the world’s developed countries ever conditions for mortgage loans in Latvia since the 1980s. Bio-energy has a posi- have improved significantly since 2002. tive influence both on energy supplies and Interest rates have dropped, and commer- on pollution. cial banks are offering loans for purchas- Fuelwood is used in several ways in ing and renovating homes. There are spe- Latvia. Small homes in the private sector cial programmes for those who are pur- are heated with fuelwood and briquettes. chasing their first home. Wood chips, in turn, are used in compara- Of importance here is the structure of tively large boiler houses (at various com- building materials in Latvia, and it remains panies and local government heating facil- unfavourable for timber and the related ities). The use of other wood residues products. Wood is mostly used as a sec- should be developed in the future. In ad- ondary material in the construction indus- dition to traditional residues (chips, co- try – roof constructions, doors, windows,

16 FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA stairs, panelling, laths, etc. There has Each element and the building as a whole been a gradual increase in domestic con- must be strong, stable, fire safe, hygienic sumption of sawnwood, but we cannot yet and harmless to human health and the speak of any significant increase in the local environment. Rules speak to energy use of timber and wood products in con- efficiency, protection against noise and struction as such. safety in use. Wood is an excellent mate- As Latvia has become more closely rial in all of these regards. When timber is integrated into the EU, European Union used in the construction industry, the rules in the area of the construction indus- speed of climate changes is reduced, be- try have increasingly been included into cause wood absorbs carbon gas through- national law. Fundamental safety require- out its life span. ments mean that buildings have to be There have to be campaigns in Latvia designed and built so as to ensure the to encourage the greater use of wood. architectonic quality and accessibility of Modern wood buildings could then be the surrounding environment, the rational seen extensively as an effective, economic use of natural resources, and the safety of and environmentally friendly construction the entire building and its components. method.

FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 17 EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

FOREST FACULTY OF THE LATVIA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE Forest Faculty of the Latvia University of Agriculture offers the following programmes of study: FULL TIME BASIC STUDY PROGRAMMES

Speciality FORESTRY WOOD PROCESSING

Programme of study Forestry Forest engineering Wood processing (academic) (professional) (professional) Degree or BA in forestry Engineer Engineer qualifications with the right degree with the to pursue a right to pursue master’s a master’s degree degree

PART TIME BASIC STUDY PROGRAMMES

Programme of study FOREST ENGINEER FORESTRY WOOD Second-level First-level PROCESSING professional higher professional TECHNOLOGIES education education First-level programme programme professional education programme

Degree or Engineer with the Forestry Wood processing qualifications right to pursue a technologist technologist master’s degree

MASTER’S DEGREE AND Ph.D. PROGRAMMES Area of study FOREST SCIENCE MATERIALS Ph.D. programme Sub-area of Forest ecology Forest work and Forest economy Wood materials study and MA and forestry technologies and policies and technologies programme Degree Master’s of Master’s of Master’s of Master’s of forestry engineering forestry engineering science

Scientific degree Ph.D., Ph.D., Ph.D., forestry Ph.D., forestry engineering science engineering

Department of Silviculture determine the extent to which the Two employees of the department are volume of timber resources has corresponding members of the Latvian increased;

DEVELOPMENT TRENDS IN THE FOREST SECTOR Academy of Sciences, three are members - Ways of increasing the presence of of the Academy of Agricultural and Fo- species of trees that are of impor- restry Sciences, and two are experts for tance to Latvia’s economy; the Latvian Science Council. The depart- - The structure and productivity of local ment employs three assistants who are up and introduced species of trees; to 35 years old. One has completed the - The structure of young stands of theoretical aspect of a doctoral program- birch and the elaboration of models me, while the others are still pursuing for tending such stands; their master’s degree. - Evaluating natural and artificial forest Instructors, students and master’s restoration processes under various degree students at the Department of conditions of forest growth; Forestry engage in research in the follow- - The diversity of natural biotopes in ing areas of study: the forest; - Evaluating the importance of environ- - Scientific study of various techniques mental factors in forest ecosystems; for forest regeneration. - Elaboration of theoretical models to Instructors at the department also offer

18 FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA master’s degree classes in the field of employs three professors, one associated of professional higher education, “Senior Forest Ecology and Forestry. They deliver professor and seven docents. They inclu- Specialist in Work Safety”. lectures and advise students on their de one full and one corresponding mem- The main object of study at the DVID is master’s degree theses. Each year there bers of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, “Human Safety,” and this is obligatory for all are two or three students who are pursu- two full members of the Academy of full and part-time students at the LLU. A ing their Ph.D. in forestry, and they are Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, one is total of 221 full-time students have taken the also actively involved in the department’s a foreign member of the Royal Swedish electives that have been offered by the scientific work. Academy of Agriculture and Forestry, and department. Two instructors have taken part one is a foreign member of the Royal in international conferences in Berlin and The Department of Forest Use Swedish Academy of the Engineering courses in Rîga. Docent Staßa serves as an The department has 10.2 full-time posi- Sciences. The department has 12.2 full- expert for the Ministry of Education and tions for academic personnel, 6.75 of time job slots and five assistant person- Science’s Professional Education Accre- which must be filled by holders of a doc- nel. ditation Commission. New regulations ap- toral degree. There are three professors The department continues to engage in sci- proved by the Cabinet of Ministers in 2003 and two associated professors, and the entific research about the complex and far- (No. 233) made it possible to begin the department deals with the following sub- sighted evaluation of wood as a construction development of a programme of ongoing ject matter: material. This work is being done under the study, “Senior Specialist in Work Safety.” - Designing forest management sys- auspices of two of the scientific projects of the Basic ongoing education programmes are tems; Latvian Academy of Sciences – 02.0014.3.1, also being offers – “Work Safety Specia- - Evaluating the forest and forest prod- “Theoretical and Technological Models for list” and “Quality Assessment and Quan- ucts; Forest Research”, and 02.0007.3.1., tity Measurement of Roundwood.” These - Logging and supply; “Innovative Technologies in Wood Pro- programmes are being taught in collabo- - Use of the forest that is not related to cessing Products.” The department is al- ration with SIA Midams, and 12 full time the timber industry; so involved in two major projects that are students have already completed their - Business and economics in forest and organised by Ministry of Education and studies in the first of these. wood processing companies. Science of Latvia – TOP 02-30, “Growing Ongoing efforts are focused on ensur- Although instructors at the department and Assessing Valuable Birch Trees and ing the methodology of instruction and the spend most of their time in class so that Research into the Physical and Mechanical availability of instruments and equipment the programmes of forest sciences, forest Properties of Birch and Birch Plywood,” as that are used to study timber and its prop- engineering and wood processing can be well as TPP 01-27, “The COST E15 Action erties, as well as to measure growing provided for full-time and part-time stu- ‘Development of Timber Drying’”. The depar- trees and prepared timber. Samples of dents, the fact is that the department also tment is involved in the EU-financed project timber and forest products, handout does important work in the field of scien- which seeks to develop an industrial busi- materials, methodological instructions and tific research. These are the subjects ness park for the forest industry in textbooks are being prepared, and mod- which are of importance: Jékabpils. This work is being done in clo- ern IT resources are being introduced. - Complex and promising evaluation of se collaboration with the Latvian Forest Subjects that are to be taught in the pro- timber as a material; Industries Federation. Under the auspices gramme of ongoing studies are being - Assessing the processes of the thick- of the project, a new entity is to be estab- developed. ness and reduction therein of the lished by the federation – a Wood bark of trees that are used for indus- Processing Development Institute, which trial purposes in Latvia; will be housed at the Department of Wood - Evaluating opportunities for the more Processing of the Latvia University of expanded use of timber and the rele- Agriculture in Jelgava. vant products. Representatives of the department are In recent times, the department has also actively involved in the work of the Latvian begun to look at other issues that are of Science Council, in the drafting of importance in Latvia – monitoring quality National Programme of Forest Sector and criteria in the cutting of trees, the logistics Related Industries, on the editorial boards of logging and supply, optimisation of the of the magazines Baltijas Koks and Baltic assortment of roundwood cut in one loca- Timber Journal, in the work of the Latvian tion, and use of GIS and GPS systems in national accreditation bureau LATAK, in planning and carrying out forest work in the Latvian Forest Industries Federation, Latvia. in various commissions of EU and Latvia, Instructors from the department are active etc. participants in the work of the Latvia's Forest Advisory Board, the Co-ordinating The Department of Work Council of Latvian National Programme of Environment the Forest Sector and Related Industries, The Department of Work Environment the Commission to Assess the Forest was established in 1994, when the De- Resources Sales Model, and the Technical partment of Human Safety was so rena- Committee for Standardisation of Latvian med (the LLU code is DVID). The depar- Timber. tment employs one professor, three docents, one lector, one assistant, one la- The Department of Wood Processing boratory director and one senior laborato- There are 17 instructors, some of them ry specialist. part-time at the department, including The DVID does not have its own pro- three habilitated doctors of science and gramme of study, but work has begun on five doctors of science. The department a second-level post-diploma programme

FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 19 The Latvian State Research Institute gies for the growth of birch saplings on “Silava” tree farms. Experimental study and eval- This is a leading centre for research uation of the more rational planting and and applied studies, and the main areas tending of trees in birth plantations. of work there involve a study of the struc- Elaboration of optimal fertilisation vol- ture and components of forest ecosys- umes and regimes to promote mycor- tem, the design of new technologies and rhizae of container grown seedlings of recommendations for sustainable and coniferous trees. Study of the use of tim- ecologically justified forest management, ber refuse and compost of runoff water and for the ongoing regeneration of forest sludge to improve the productivity of the resources. Research is being done in all forest. Study of the agro-chemical indi- of the major areas of forestry studies: cators of stands of trees on forest land Forest ecology and silviculture – and other land, comparing and evaluating study of the structural and functional these. Long-term experiments to design aspects of forest ecosystems, design of recommendations for the natural regener- new and rational technologies for the ation of pine. establishment of high-quality and highly Forest protection – design of tech- productive stands of trees, assurance of nologies for the supervisory methods and uninterrupted and more extensive forest limitation of harm when it comes to forest regeneration and the preservation of bio- pests and diseases, these to be appropri- logical diversity at the level of biotopes ate for Latvia’s conditions. Forecasting of and species, long-term hydrological ob- the dynamics of pest populations. Protec- servations for the establishment of mod- tion of trees against the pine weevil, eval- els which allow specialists to calculate uating the risk of increased numbers of the parameters of water management in pests in cutting refuse, and study of the forests in relation to tree stand taxation influence of defoliation on pests which indicators, as well as evaluation of the cir- attack deciduous and coniferous trees. culation of water and biogenetic materials The importance of ectomycorrhizae in in forest ecosystems. Specialists are also protecting plants against pathogenic and studying the importance of microflora and rot-inducing fungi. mycorrhizae of trees in ensuring the pro- Game management – study of the ductivity and health of stands of trees. interaction of natural consumers and hunt- Work is also being done on the way in ing operations in forest ecosystems – study which intensive forest use affects mosses and forecast of the status of game animal and vegetation in Latvia. populations, study of the ecology of large Forest tree breeding and genetics – carnivoref with the radio-telemetry met- studies concerning the quality, productiv- hod and of regional protection of these ity, health and resistance of stands of animals; design of methods to evaluate trees and the increase of these with the the interaction of game animal popula- help of forest selection methods; investi- tions and the plants which they eat; and gation of the provenances of various experiments in the use of repellents to deciduous and coniferous trees and their prevent the harm which cervoids cause to successors and the selection of the best the forest. of these for the extraction of elite repro- Forestry work – Study of the machin- ductive material, for the establishment of ery, equipment and technologies that are seed plantations and for the establish- used in forestry and forestry work and the ment of a system of highly valuable effect which these have on stands of trees seeds. Methodologies are being improved and on remaining trees after sanitary cut- in the increasing of deciduous tree num- ting; testing of technologies to prepare bers with tissue cultures, and specialists the most appropriate soil for various kinds have studied the successors of rapid- of forest and for the foresting of land that growth aspen hybrids. All-encom passing is not used for agricultural purposes; study of the genetic resources of stands improvement of equipment and tolls for of trees has been conducted, the aim forest planting of bare foots, container being to preserve the genetic diversity of grown seedlings and saplings. those kinds of trees that are of impor- Forest biomass processing of raw tance to the national economy. Research materials from the forest – complex is also being done on the growth of hard- study of non-timber products and from wood deciduous trees (ash and oak). the forest (foliage, bark, etc.) and the full Forest regeneration and establish- use of them – the resources, their value, ment – testing of new technologies, elab- processing technologies which leave oration of recommendations for the nothing behind, development of biologi- foresting of land that is used for other cally active natural resources for the purposes and for the establishment of needs of agriculture, the food industry, multi-purpose plantations – Christmas the cosmetics industry, the pharmaceuti- trees, short-rotation timber used for ener- cal industry and the household chemicals gy purposes, and production of sweet industry. cherry wood. Improvement of technolo- Wood processing – experiments in

20 FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA the chemical and hydrothermal processing until 1976 was Professor Arvîds Kalniñß. friendly polymers from renewable natural of timber – design of new, rational and Since 2000, the chairman of the resources and the sub-products of pulp economically effective equipment, tech- Institute’s Scientific Council has been production. nologies and recommendations for the Bruno Andersons, and its director has The institute’s employees take part in drying of sawnwood at a regular tempera- been Aivars Ûüriñß. In 2004, the institute many international scientific projects which ture, using gas to produce the heat, as employed 114 people, including 68 scien- are financed by the EU. The institute has well as the design of multi-component tific specialists, 46 of them holders of received support from the EU as a centre of antiseptics which are limited in toxicity doctorates in the relevant fields of study. excellence that is to be integrated into the and are long-lasting. The basic job for the institute is to European scientific environment (the WOOD- Forest economy and policy – study engage in theoretical and applied re- PRO project “Integration of the Latvian State of the multi-functional value of the forest search on the complex, rational and full Institute of Wood Chemistry into the Euro- and the specification of that value, elabo- use of wood and petrified biomass for the pean Research Area”). Thanks to these ration of forest property management creation of innovative materials and prod- activities, the institute’s equipment has models, planning for all-encompassing ucts with a high added value, making use been significantly modernised over the forest use, elaboration of methodologies of scientifically justified and progressive last few years, and this allows it to engage to assess the value of non-timber resour- technologies for this purpose. The institu- in research in major areas of study and to ces in the forest. te conducts research under auspices of work with scientific organisations from all The institute also takes part in several state-financed research projects, as well around the world. international research projects. as of national scientific programmes. In collaboration with the Department of Over the last few years, scientists at Major areas of research include: Changes Material Sciences and Applied Chemical the institute have been working on a long- in the structure and properties of wood as Technologies of the Rîga Technological term forest selection and seed develop- a result of external factors, including radi- University, the institute has elaborated a ment programme, recommendations for ation; ways of improving the property, programme of study in the complex chem- the establishment of sweet cherry planta- including the durability, of Latvian species ical processing of timber. Over the course tions, new technologies for preparing and of tree, as well as expansion of the areas of four-and-a-half years, students learn using compost from the sludge of runoff in which these can be used, making use of about the fundamentals of forest resour- water in forestry, a methodology to evalu- ecological resources and modification ces processing technologies. ate the biological properties of sub-strata procedures; study of the historical her- in peat moss, economically advantageous itage (buildings, museum collections, INVESTMENTS IN THE drying regimes for pine, fir, birch, ash and paper) and elaboration of methods for its oak, recommendation for the growth of preservation; use of innovative technolo- FOREST SECTOR timber used for energy purposes on land gies in the production of products that are that is not being used for agriculture, as of use in the national economy (micro- Of great importance in the successful well as the use of container grown seed- chrystal pulp, furfurol, biological fuel, ac- development of the forest sector is the lings in forest regeneration, depending on tive coal, biologically active products, more rapid introduction of contemporary the season. Specialists have determined cosmetics, energy resources, materials to and modern production processes and the chemical makeup of the foliage of pine purify soil and improve fertility, etc.), technologies, ones that are in line with the and spruce, they have developed and reg- obtaining these from timber, from the latest achievements of science. Inves- istered 10 preparations that can be used refuse which remains behind after pro- tments are needed, of course, if that is to in various sectors of the economy, and cessing of timber, and from pulp with happen. they have designed and introduced tech- such methods as hydrolysis, thermolysis, The largest volume of non-financial nologies for the processing of the foliage steam explosion, etc.; technologies to investment in Latvia went to the transport of pine and spruce. extract innovative and biologically active and communications sector, but the for- The results and conclusions of the lat- products from timber and related prod- est sector also enjoyed significant invest- est and most important research is pre- ucts; bio-technological methods to rid ments – Ls 88 million or 8.2% of all non- sented in co-operation with the Forest printed paper of colour and to bleach financial investments in 2003. Faculty of the LLU in an annual collection pulp; biodegradable and environmentally The lion’s share of non-financial invest- of scholarly articles, MeΩzinåtne (Forest Sciences), as well as in the English lan- Non-financial investments in Latvia’s forest sector companies guage journal Baltic Forestry, which is published in collaboration with relevant research institutions in Lithuania and Estonia.

The Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry

The Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry was established in 1946. Until 1958, it was known as the Forestry Prob- lems Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR, between 1958 and 1963 it was the Forestry Problems and Wood Chemistry Institute of the Latvian SSR, and from 1964 until 1993 it was the ccc Wood Chemistry Institute of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. The founder and first director of the institute from 1946 Source: Department of Forest Policy (ZM). Data of CSB used

FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 21 Non-financial investments in the forest sector (million Ls)

Source: Department of Forest Policy (ZM). Data of CSB used

ments in the forest sector in 2003 went nological structure of non-financial invest- toward woodworking companies – Ls ments, the scene is dominated by equip- 59.3 million, or 67.6% of all investments. ment and machinery – 60% of all non- Another Ls 17.5 million (20%) went to financial investments in 2003 went for this companies engaged in forestry and the purpose. preparation of timber, Ls 2.7 million The amount of money that a company (3.1%) went toward pulp and paper man- can invest in modernisation and the intro- ufacturing companies, and Ls 8.2 million duction of new technologies has every- (9.4%) went toward furniture-making. thing to do with the amount of money that Over the last four years, the volume of it has at its disposal, and that, in turn, non-financial investments in the furniture depends in large part on post-tax profits. manufacturing industry has increased As of January 1, 2002, the government steadily, which suggests that this sub- has been reducing the corporate income sector in the timber industry is developing tax rate – from 25% in 2001 to 15% in quickly. Between 2000 and 2003, the vol- 2004. ume of non-financial investments in this Another prerequisite for more active area increased by a factor of 2.4. The investment processes is lower bank inter- years of 2002 and 2003 were very est rates. The two last years have been favourable for the sub-sector of forestry particularly favourable in this regard. and preparation of timber. The volume of According to the Central Statistical non-financial investments in this area in Bureau, the average balanced interest 2002 and 2003 was more than three times rate on long-term loans was 8.5% in 2002 higher than the investments in 2000. and 7.5% in 2003. In comparison to There have also been significantly greater 2001, the interest rate in 2003 is lower by investments in the production of wood 2.5%. and wood products. In terms of the tech-

Trends in the foreign investment in the equity capital of forest sector compa- nies that are registered in Latvia, 1997-2003

Source: Department of Forest Policy (ZM). Data of CSB used

22 FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA Foreign investments tal of companies in the sub-sector at the end of 2003. Foreign direct investment is also of The most important investors in the importance in economic development, pulp and paper industry have always been because such investments can compen- the United States and Finland, with 65% sate for insufficient domestic invest- and 22% of foreign investment in the ments, ensure the establishment of glob- equity capital of companies in this sub- ally effective facilities, provide access to sector respectively, but in the area of fur- modern technologies, improve the quality niture-making the leaders have always and design of products, and make it eas- been Denmark, Germany, Sweden and ier to access foreign markets. the United States. The structure of foreign investments in Latvia is dominated by the service sector, but there have also been significant for- Foreign investment in the equity capital eign investments in the Latvian forest of forest sector companies that are reg- sector. The sector has attracted foreign istered in Latvia (cumulative, end 2003) investors because of its stable level of raw materials, its advantageous geo- graphic location, and its proximity to sales markets. Cumulative in the equity capital of forest sector companies at the end of 2003 amounted to Ls 56 million, or 4.4% of all of the foreign investments in Latvian equity capital. Most of those investments Ls 49.4 million in all have gone to timber processing companies. The largest volume of foreign invest- ment in the equity capital of forest sec- tor companies occurred in 2003, when rapid increases in FDI in woodworking, Source: Department of Forest Policy (ZM). forestry and preparation of timber, as Data of CSB used well as furniture-making meant a total increase of 38% in cumulative investment Foreign investments in the equity in the equity capital of forest sector com- capital of forest sector companies that panies. Significant foreign investments in are registered in Latvia, by country the sector were also attracted in 1997, 2001 and 2002. (cumulative, end 2003) Among the various sub-sectors in the timber industry, foreign investors contin- ue to prefer the woodworking sector, which is one reason for this sub-sector’s significant growth. At the end of 2003, the equity capital of companies which process wood and wood products had received Ls 43.5 million in foreign invest- ment or 88% of all such investments in the timber industry. Countries which have led the way in terms of investing in the equity capital of Latvia’s for- Source: Department of Forest Policy (ZM). est sector companies have been Sweden (Ls Data of CSB used 12.3 million), the UK (Ls 11.1 million), the United States (Ls 4.4 million) and Finland (Ls Foreign investment in the equity capital 4.1 million). Investments from 26 countries in of timber processing companies that are all were registered in the sector at the end of registered in Latvia (cumulative, end 2003) 2003. The European Union’s member sta- tes have invested Ls 39.1 million in the equity capital of forest sector companies, or 70% of all investments. Sweden became the leading investor in the sub-sector of forestry and prepara- tion of timber in 2003. It has invested Ls 3.4 million in this sub-sector, followed by Finland (Ls 2.1 million), the Netherlands (Ls 0.8 million) and the UK (Ls 0.2 million) In the woodworking sub-sector invest- ments from the UK and Sweden domi- nate. They represented 25% and 20% of Source: Department of Forest Policy (ZM). all foreign investments in the equity capi- Data of CSB used

FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 23 CERTIFICATION LATVIAN NATIONAL PROGRAMME OF THE In today’s world, sustainable forestry is FOREST SECTOR AND considered to be a process which takes equal note of environmental protection, RELATED INDUSTRIES economic and social interests, ensuring that the value of the forest is maintained Between 2000 and 2004, six European and enhanced in the future. One way to Union member states elaborated develop- promote the introduction of sustainable ment programmes for their forest sectors. forestry is to certify forest management In Finland, Sweden, Ireland and Scotland, procedures. This is a process which has the authorities drafted forest cluster been facilitated by non-governmental ini- development programmes. Most of the tiatives. successful clusters deal with links among In Latvia, certification of forest man- companies and co-operation among vari- agement and the chain of custody is ous sectors and sub-sectors. This based on two certification schemes – that ensures the necessary level of innovation of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and enables the effective use of various and that of the Pan European Forest outsourced services. The primary focus, Certification (PEFC) system. however, has always been on developing FSC certification in Latvia has been competitive advantage. developing very rapidly. At the beginning The Latvian Cabinet of Ministers of 2004, approximately 1.7 million hec- approved a Concept of the Latvian Na- tares of forest had been certified in accor- tional Programme of the Forest Sector dance with FSC requirements. and Related Industries on July 24, 2002. The joint stock company “Latvian State This is a medium-term programme, one Forests” has fully completed certification that covers the period of time between of all of the state-owned forests in Latvia in accordance with FSC requirements. An FSC forest management certificate has been awarded to the approximately 57,000 hectares of forest which belong to the city of Rîga. FSC forest management certificates have also been issued to cover approxi- mately 2,700 hectares of privately owned forest. A total of 82 companies in the Latvian forest sector have certified their chain of custody systems. The Pan European Forest Certification scheme has approved Latvia’s version of the system, and it was approved by the PEFC board of directors. Leaders of the relevant institutions in PEFC member states gave Latvia’s system a green light, and it has been in place since July 20, 2001, as an internationally recognised PEFC scheme. Forest certification and the chain of custody began in accordance with the Latvian version of the PEFC scheme in September 2001. The Latvian system invo- lves regional, group and direct certification. The regional forestry certificate (and umbrella certificate) was received on September 19, 2001, by the Latvia’s Fo- rest Owners Association. As of September 1, 2004, 260 forest properties with 31,265 hectares of forest- land, as well as 45 companies in the tim- ber supply chain, had been certified in accordance with the PEFC criteria.

24 FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 2004 and 2013, and it is a strategic related industries; development document. In accordance • Co-ordinated development of the use with Latvia’s forest policy, the aim of the of forest products and power indus- programme is to ensure sustainable man- try; agement of Latvia’s forests, as well as the • Promotion of the use of timber in development of the forest sector and the construction; related industries in the context of overall • Development of transport and logis- economic development in Latvia. tics in relation with prospects of the The duty for the national pro- forestry development; gramme is to formulate strategic • Development of laws and regulations goals for the development of the for- in order to increase the competitive- est sector and the related industries ness of the forest sector and related and to elaborate a detailed implemen- industries and a coordinated legisla- tation programme, one which is bal- tion in the forest sector in compli- anced with the development of other ance with international legal norms; sectors in the economy and ensures: • Establishment of an information sys- • Sustainable management of the for- tem for the forest sector and related est and forest land; industries, taking into account the • Expanding market of products from principles of the Information Society the Latvian forest sector and related and of E-management; industries; • Contribution of the forest sector and • Measures for increasing the con- related industries in a sustainable sumption of products from renewable development of rural areas and effec- forest resources in domestic market; tive use of land, • Integration of educational and scien- • Contribution of the observation of tific level in the forest sector and international forestry liabilities.

FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 25 orest Days events have been held in the forest sector. Latvia every year since 1928. The 2004 awards in the forest sector F During the event, people plant trees were distributed in four different cate- and clean up forests. There are lectures gories – lifetime achievement, investment and field trips. Public buildings, roads in the training of young specialists, sci- and rural homes are improved with new ence and, finally, the timber industry and plantings. In order to make the co-ordi- forestry. The lifetime achievement award nation of Forest Days more successful, went to Leons Vîtols, Severîns Freimanis Latvia’s Forest Advisory Board in 2002 set and Egons eruΩis, while certificates of up a special working group to organise recognition for lifetime achievements were the celebration. Its members come from a given to Leons Skromulis, Jånis Ruks, variety of institutions and organisations, Alfons Grînfelds, Biruta Pakalne, Visvaldis and the work is co-ordinated by the Kåposts and Zigurds Saliñß. The award Department of Forest Policy of the Mi- for the training of young specialists was nistry of Agriculture. There is extensive given to Leonards Lîpiñß, and certificates co-operation with the mass media so as of recognition in this area were received to popularise the ideas that are behind by Imants Liepa and Imants Mangalis. In Forest Days and to provide information the area of science, the award went to about when and where the various events Imants Baumanis, while certificates of will take place. recognition were received by Henns Tu- The Forest Days slogan in 2004 was herms and Péteris Zålîtis. In the category of “AN ORDERLY FOREST IN AN ORDERLY investments in the timber industry, the prize ENVIRONMENT”. was received by Juris Bi˚is, while certifi- An orderly forest is one which pre- cates of recognition were issued to Jånis serves diversity of species, one which is Herbsts and Juris Çakstiñß. Finally, for consistently regenerated, one in which investments in the forestry, the prize went to people feel true respect for the mightiness Uldis Georgs Gavrilovs. The prizes them- of the natural world and understand the selves were produced by wood sculptors importance of the natural world in health from the Rîga Crafts High School during care. The forest is Latvia’s “green gold”, the “Forest and Tree 2004” event. one of the greatest treasures in our coun- On May 1, when Latvia became a try. full member of the European Union, Sadly, certain parts of the Latvian for- Minister of Agriculture Mårtiñß Roze est have become exhibition halls for plas- responded to a suggestion by the tic bottles, tin cans and other garbage. If President of Latvia Vaira Vî˚e-Frei- we pick up the things that do not belong berga – that trees be planted on this in the forest – garbage and various important day for Latvia. At a nation- wrecks – we will establish an environment al scientific study facility in the Talsi that is pleasing for ourselves. District, the minister joined with oth- By providing saplings, by planting trees ers in planting the “European Forest”. and by tending to stands of trees, we will On hand were diplomats from EU member leave those things in the forest which it states, the head of the European requires – dead trees, mosses and li- Commission delegation to Latvia, repre- chens. We will leave behind a proper en- sentatives of the forest industry, local go- vironment for forest life. vernment leaders, representatives of the The central event for Forest Days intelligentsia, students from the local high 2004 took place on April 24 in Dome school, etc. One tree was planted to repre- Square. It was organised by the Ministry sent each of the EU’s member states – of Agriculture in collaboration with the Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Den- Latvia’s Forest Advisory Board and a se- mark, France, Greece, Estonia, Italy, Ireland, ries of local governments. The annual Cyprus, Latvia, the UK, Lithuania, Luxem- awards of the forest sector were dis- bourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, tributed at a ceremony at the Small Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, Ger- Guild in Rîga. many, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, as well as At the central event in Dome Square, the European Commission to represent Eu- the audience was addressed by Prime rope as a whole. Minister Indulis Emsis, Minister of Agri- The State Forest Service also played a culture Mårtiñß Roze, President of Latvian role in Forest Days 2004, calling on forest Forest Industry Federation Juris Bi˚is, owners to set new records in forest regener- Rîga City Council member and playwright ation. The agency organised a programme Pauls Putniñß and others. There was also that was called “No More Room for a concert to feature the winners of a com- Garbage in the Forest!” With the help of petition that was called “I Sing for Latvia’s schools, local governments and other FOREST DAYS AND OTHER PUBLIC INFORMATION EVENTS Forests.” There was a market for arts and partners, places in the forest that were crafts, as well as planting stock. A play- polluted with garbage were identified, and ground was available for children, where one of the locations in each forest sector kids could play with a wide variety of was cleaned up. Participants took photo- wooden toys and games. There were in- graphs of the garbage and pollution, and formation stands about various aspects of some 200 sites all around Latvia were

26 FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA cleaned up. The main purpose to the pro- improved by the addition of another institutions and schools. gramme was to call on people various 240,000 saplings. At the conclusion of From the very beginning, SIA Stora areas of society to take part in improving Forest Days, the agency announced the Enso MeΩs has organised and taken part the forest, helping to development greater results of a project competition for school- in a variety of Forest Days events. responsibility among individuals and insti- children which was called “The Forest Successful forest regeneration is a corner- tutions when it comes to the condition of Enters the City”. Students offered ideas stone for sustainable forest management. the forest. The State Forest Service also about the leisure facilities and other This year Stora Enso MeΩs worked with organised seminars about the tending of objects that they would like to see in the co-operation partners at Forest Days to young stands for private forest owners city’s forests. continue with its tradition of regeneration during Forest Days. The Worldwide Fund for Nature of privately owned forestland. The compa- The joint stock company Latvian (WWF) worked together with SIA Latvijas ny also provided information to school- State Forests (LVM), which manages all Za¬å Josta (Latvia’s Green Belt) to organ- children about the process of forestation. of Latvia’s state-owned forests, was ise orienteering events which were aimed On July 9, at the Saulaine Professional another active participant in Forest Day at focusing public attention on a clean and High School (in Zemgale), on July 16 at events this year. The agency helped peo- orderly environment. The focus was on the Skrunda Trade High School (in Kur- ple to gain a better understanding of pollution and garbage in the forest. In co- zeme), on July 30 at the Jaungulbene processes which take place in the forest, operation with Copy Pro and Map Latvia, Trade High School (in Vidzeme) and on about the great meaning of the forest as a the land around a children’s residential August 6 at the Malnava College (in renewable natural resource in the national school was forested, and garbage was Latgale), the Ministry of Agriculture organ- economy, in employment and in the con- taken away. In co-operation with Stora ised regional conferences, “Latvia’s Coun- servation and protection of natural diversi- Enso MeΩs, trees were planted at the tryside in Europe”. There were working ty. In April and May, staff from eight of the Worldwide Fund for Nature’s demonstra- groups on “Support for the Forest Sector” LVM sectors worked with local residents tion farm at Salacgrîva. The fund also at all of the events, and delegates learned and local governments to improve and opened up two new demonstration farms about the European Union’s structural regenerate the forest in more than 100 at the Naukßéni and Launkalne parishes. funds and the way in which these can be locations in all. People cleaned up the for- There, the fund will demonstrate process- accessed. Specialists offered answers to est, gathered garbage, planted new es of sustainable forestry. all questions. stands of trees, installed birdcages in the The international îpsala Exhibitions Public information about the forest forest, cleaned and improved recreational Centre featured the 4th annual forest sector is disseminated regularly through facilities and parks, and installed or and timber processing exhibition press released, press conferences, the improved information and educational “Forest and Tree 2004” during the brochure that you are holding in your trails. course of Forest Days 2004. Visitors could hands right now, another brochure that is The central event for the Forest take a look at the latest trends in the called “A Report on Agriculture and Rural Faculty of the Latvia University of development of the forest sector, the Development”, as well as the annual re- Agriculture in 2004 was the planting of a technologies that are used therein, and port of the Ministry of Agriculture . A pub- “Jubilee Stand” at the Jelgava forest study the practical use of products which lic opinion survey was organised to find facility. Students from the faculty also emerge from the sector. The latest infor- out what people thought about the Forest worked on forest regeneration in the mation about the sector was also made Days event. forests which belong to the study facility. available. In support of the idea of an orderly envi- The Latvia’s Forest Owners ronment, the students also cleaned up a Association issued a challenge in the recreational facility at Engure, and they spring of 2004, calling on forest owners to improved the nature park at Térvete, as regenerate their forests by planting sap- well. lings and by foresting land that is not used The Latvian Association of Local for agriculture. Forest Days events were and Regional Governments organised organised at a variety of forest holdings, the planting of a stand of oak trees at the calling neighbours together to forest larg- town of Madliena. The event was attended er areas of land. This helped to strengthen by representatives of the board of the co-operation and contacts. The job also association’s Parish Organisation, as well involved consultants from the association. as by people from the Ministry of They offered a variety of practical advice Agriculture, the State Forest Service and in forest management, and people could the joint stock company “Latvian State exchange experiences in terms of the Forests.” solutions that they had found to various For the Rîga Forest Agency, the main problems. This meant that the forest events during Forest Days were events planting event was also an educational aimed at cleaning up the forests. There opportunity for all forest owners. were 23 such events in all, and school- The stock company Latvijas Finieris children, students, local residents and (Latvian Plywood) uses Latvia’s forest agency employees used heavy equipment resources to produce the highest level of to clean up huge piles of garbage. quality in its products. Forest Days are a Everyone worked together to clean up the central event for forest regeneration, and forest. The agency also began to plant thought is given to the quality of the forest trees that will eventually be larger than the in the future. Forest regeneration is a sta- average in the city. During the spring of ble tradition for the company, and each 2004, the Rîga Forest Agency regenerated spring Latvijas Finieris employees bring 174 hectares of forest, planting no fewer their families and friends to the Forest than 522,000 plants. Another 147 Days events. These also gather together hectares of regenerated territory were people from state and local government

FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 27 Latvia’s Forest Advisory Board was their components; L established in 1998 for the following 2) Elaboration of recommendations to purposes: ensure the sustainable management of • To co-ordinate the activities of state forests, as well as the rational and and public organisations in promoting effective use of forest resources and the development of the forest sector in products. Latvia; The institute does basic and applied • To prepare and evaluate proposals and research in the following areas: draft norms which regulate the forest • Forest ecology and silviculture; sector; • Forest tree breeding and genetics; • To evaluate the way in which other • Forest regeneration and establishment; spheres, including international and • Forest protection; bilateral norms and agreements, will • Forest operations and machinery; affect the Latvian forest sector; • Forest biomass processing; • To promote the development of the for- • Hydrothermal and chemical processing est sector and the competitiveness of of timber; Latvian businesses in the international • Forest economics and forest policy. market; • To ensure transparency in the resolu- Forest Faculty of the Latvia tion of the most important problems of University of Agriculture the forest sector. The council is an informational, con- The Forest Faculty of sulting and co-ordinating institution which the Latvia University of is aimed at establishing balanced devel- Agriculture has been opment policies in the forest sector. The training specialists in council’s decisions are only recommenda- forestry and woodwor- tions. The chairman of the council is the king ever since 1920. Minister of Agriculture. There are two pro- These are the rights of the Latvia’s grammes of study – silvics (academic Forest Advisory Board: studies) and forest engineering (profes- • To issue evaluations of norms that have sional and academic studies). The first to do with the forest sector’s develop- phase of four years is completed with a ment and operations; BA in forestry studies. The forest engi- • To be given a timely chance to study neering programme trains engineers to draft laws, norms, regulations and work in the woodworking industry. They instructions that relate to the forest gain an in-depth understanding of logging sector and to promote amendments to operations. Graduates can work in forest same; management, timber transport and trade. • To demand all necessary information The professional curriculum in woodwork- from the state and from the relevant ing prepares bachelor’s degree holders LATVIA’S FOREST ADVISORY BOARD non-governmental organisations; and engineers for work in the woodwork- • To propose awards for people who ing industry. work in the forest sector for significant Additional studies and the elaboration investments in the development of the of a scientific thesis allow graduates of sector in Latvia. the professional study programmes to Latvia’s Forest Advisory Board has pursue a master’s and then a doctorate representatives from the Ministry of Ag- degree. riculture, the State Forest Service, Latvian Part time studies are available for the State Forests (see pp. 4-5) and stakehold- first-level (college) programme of study ers. that leads to qualifications as a forestry or woodworking technologist, or the second- Latvian State Forestry Research level programme of study, which trains Institute “Silava” engineers.

The Latvian State Fo- The Latvian Fund for Nature restry Research Institute “Silava” is the leading fo- The Latvian Fund for restry research centre in Nature is a public the country. Founded in organisation which 1946, the institute was was founded in 1990. admitted to the Union of Its job is to introduce Forest Research Organisations (UFRO) in projects in Latvia 1980. Since 1995, it has also been a which are aimed at the conservation of member of the European Forest Institute biological diversity in various ecosystems. (EFI). These projects include preparation and The objectives of the institute are the implementation of management plans for following: specifically protected natural territories, 1) Research into forest ecosystems and as well as the design of steps to protect

28 FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA species and habitats that are under • Partnerships (Latvian State Forests, the The Latvian Union of Timber threat. Latvian Nature Museum) Quality Experts The Latvian Fund for Nature has more than 80 members from various areas of The Latvian Ornithology Society The Latvian Union specialisation – botany, ornithology, envi- of Timber Quality ronmental management, forest ecology, The Latvian Ornitho- Experts is a pub- geography, ichthyology, entomology, ter- logy Society is a pub- lic, professional riology, herpetology, malacology, bog lic scientific organisa- and non-profit ecology, etc. The Fund Board consists of tion which was found- organisation six elected members and the Director of ed in 1985 and which which brings together highly qualified the Fund. Once a year there is a general joined the internation- experts. The union measures and eval- meeting of members to evaluate the al bird protection uates the quality of timber that is fund’s work. Financing is attracted organisation Bird Life International in intended for export, re-export, import or through projects and through co-opera- 1994. The group seeks to preserve envi- domestic consumption. It organises tion with organisations in Latvia and ronmental conditions which allow all of the training and attestation of timber quality abroad. various species of birds that are a natural experts. part of Latvia’s territory to survive, as well The main activities of the union are the The World Wide Fund for Nature as to increase general interest in birds so following: as to promote the protection of birds and • Settling conflicts related to timber The World Wide their habitats in Latvia and abroad. In this, measurements among state authori- Fund for Nature (WWF the organisation helps to conserve the ties, local governments and private Latvija) is the world’s natural environment. Its activities include sector entities; largest environmental the following: • Organising co-operation between protection organisa- • Projects aimed at studying and protect- Latvia’s timber quality experts and tion, with projects in ing birds, working out protection plans national and international organisa- more than 100 coun- for those species that are under threat; tions; tries and more than • Public information about the protection • Supervision of the work of timber 4.7 million supporters. The work of the of birds, including educational materi- quality experts; WWF is aimed at environmental protection als such as the magazine Putni Dab_ • Providing information and consulta- so as to conserve genetic, species and (Birds in Nature), booklets, posters, tions on the latest developments in ecosystem diversity, to ensure the sus- brochures, collections of learned arti- timber measurement in Latvia and tainable use of renewable natural resour- cles, etc.; abroad; ces now and in the future, to reduce pol- • Various programmes to attract public • Participation in the drafting of regula- lution and the waste of natural resources attention to threats against birds and, tory acts and standards which relate and energy. In Latvia, the WWF works to by extension, against Latvia’s environ- to timber measurement and quality; establish a future in which people and ment; • Activities among experts such as their environment exist in harmony. • Lectures for schoolchildren and other expert conferences, etc. The Forest Programme includes: interested parties, as well as bird- Protected territories which are aimed at watching groups; The co-operative society “Latvia’s promoting the establishment and manage- • Proposals to improve laws related to Forest Owners’ Association” ment of an ecologically justified system of the protection of birds; protected territories: • Co-operation with other organisations Latvia’s Forest • A demonstration project in Latvia and abroad. Owners’ Asso- • Discussion materials ciation is a co- Sustainable forest management, the aim The Latvian Forest Industries operative society being to promote the use of sustain- Trade Union that was estab- able forest management practices: lished in 1993 • Demonstration projects The Latvian Forest to enhance forest management and utili- • Improvement of legal norms Industries Trade sation, to facilitate the timber business • Elaboration of the FSC certification Union is a volun- and other forest-related businesses, to standard tary, independent provide consultations, as well as educa- • Discussion materials and democratic tion and training possibilities, and to stand The business sector, hoping to promote organisation, one up for the interests and rights of its mem- honest and open business develop- which works under the auspices of the bers and other forest owners in Latvia. ment in the forest sector: Latvian constitution, Latvian law and the Of the approximately 155,000 private • Promoting FSC forest certification organisation’s own statutes. Members forest owners in Latvia, some 40,000 indi- • Promoting FSC chain-of-custody certifi- include representatives from logging, tim- viduals and legal entities have become cation ber processing, pulp and paper, as well as supporting members of the organisation • Partnership (Stora Enso MeΩs, Latvijas other industries that are related to the for- and have made use of its services. Finieris, the Forest Club) est sector. The trade union also supports Another 1,200 forest owners and business Education, with the aim of changing the social and economic rights of its mem- people are full members of the organisa- public attitudes and behaviours toward bers and represents their interests. tion and make an investment in developing environmentally friendly forest resources The trade union is a member of the Latvian its commercial operations. management and environmental protec- Association of Free Trade Unions, the These are the functions of the Latvia’s tion: International Federation of Building and Forest Owners’ Association: • Stipends Woodworkers, as well as the International • Promotion of co-operation among for- • Exhibitions Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and est owners and strengthening of their • Courses and lectures General Workers Unions. local organisations;

FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 29 • Services to forest owners which are The Latvian Association of Wood facilitate sustainable and environmen- aimed at higher efficiency in forest use; Processing Entrepreneurs and tally friendly forest management, to • Implementation of sustainable forestry Exporters guarantee the long-term and success- methods, as well introduction of certifi- ful provision of raw materials in the cation systems; The Latvian Asso- sector, and to increase the quality of • Assistance for forest owners so that ciation of Wood Pro- exported timber products. they can receive the necessary profes- cessing Entrepre- sional education and consultations. neurs and Exporters Association “Latvijas Koks” The co-operative society “Latvia’s Fo- brings together some rest Owners’ Association” also participa- 70 companies from The association tes in various international co-operation the sector, beginning “Latvijas Koks” and technical assistance projects and pro- with those that pre- (Latvian Wood) is grammes which are aimed at promoting pare timber and produce sawn materials a voluntary public private forestry. It also seeks to strength- and ending with those who use timber to organisation en contacts with forest owner associa- produce furniture components, furnish- which serves as tions in other countries, particularly in the ings, construction materials and ready- an umbrella struc- Baltic Sea region. made houses, as well as those which sell ture for wood- The association is a member of the CEPF the final wood products. Companies par- working and fur- (Confederation of European Forest ticipate in the association’s work both niture manufacturing companies in Latvia, Holders, since 1999), the ELO (European directly and by merging into regional as well as for other organisations that are Landowners’ Association, since 2002), the groups. They are represented by the interested in promoting the woodworking IFFA (International Family Forestry Latvian Timber Industry Federation. The industry. Alliance, since 2001), the PEFCC (Pan institutions help to represent the interests The goals of the association are as follows: European Forest Certification Council, of their members in relations with govern- • To involve companies and individuals since 1999), and the Baltic-NSF (the Baltic ment institutions and international organi- from the relevant industries in the elab- Sea Region Association of Forest Owners, sations. oration and implementation of a joint since 1998). programme of action; Latvian Timber Exporters’ • To represent the lawful rights and inter- The Latvian Forest Industry Association ests of woodworking companies in rela- Federation tions with government institutions; Latvian Timber • To promote mutually advantageous The Latvian Exporters’ communications and to establish infor- Forest Industry Association was mation exchanges with organisations Federation is founded in June abroad; an umbrella or- 1998 to promote • To maintain databases about the status ganisation for the development of equipment, technologies and the the leading business associations in the of Latvia’s leading economy in the sector; forest sector – Latvijas Koks (Latvian export sector, to create stable economic • To forecast forest resource volumes and Wood), Latvijas Mébeles (Latvian Furni- conditions for local enterprises which to promote co-operation with forest ture), the Latvian Timber Exporters’ Asso- export sawnwood and other types of owners in relation to the availability of ciation, the Association of Latvian Wood processed timber, and to work together resources; Processing Entrepreneurs and Exporters, with government authorities, businesses • To become involved in professional edu- the Latvian Union of Timber Harvesting and international organisations in pursuit cation and retraining programmes and Companies and the Latvian Association of of its aims. The members of the associa- in ways of improving these; Independent Timber Harvesting Compa- tion control approximately 65% of the • To organise travel in pursuit of the inter- nies. The federation was established so as total timber export market in Latvia. ests of woodworking development; to represent the interests of the Latvian for- In pursuit of these aims, these are the • To organise and attend seminars, con- est and woodworking industries at the objectives of the Latvian Timber Expor- ferences and other events; international level, as well as to develop ters’ Association: • To provide consultations and expert and co-ordinate the activities of the various • To co-ordinate the harmonisation of assistance. associations. The federation represents the Latvian laws concerning the economic The association has 22 members, interests of the Latvian forest and wood- environment and the development of including 17 woodworking and furni- working industry at the European timber product and export industries ture-making companies, one scientific Confederation of Woodworking Industries. with relevant EU laws now that Latvia research agency (the Wood Chemistry It also works actively with government has joined the European Union; Institute), three professional education- authorities and with professional and inter- • To investigate and forecast the market al institutions (the Rîga Secondary national organisations so as to promote the for sawnwood and timber products and Vocational School of Carpentry, the development of the various forestry-related to study the acquisition of new mar- Woodworking Department of the Rîga industries in Latvia and to create secure kets; State Polytechnic School, as well as the economic conditions for them. The Latvian • To develop policies in relation to the Forest Faculty of the Latvia University Forest Industry Federation is working on market for raw materials; of Agriculture), and the specialised the wood usage promotion programme, the • To improve national economic policies newspaper Lietaskoks. aim being to encourage the public to return so as to create favourable conditions The association’s member companies to the environmentally friendly material that for the sector’s development and to mostly produce birch plywood, glued- is timber, making use of it in all areas of life. improve the effectiveness of processed bent parts, wood chip panels, furniture All six of the federation’s members are also timber exports; panels, matches, sawnwood, various represented on the Latvian Forest Advisory • To participate in improving and imple- wood products, as well as all kinds of Board. menting Latvia’s forest policy so as to furniture.

30 FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA The Latvian Union of Timber for members; Harvesting Companies • To provide recommendations and proposals to legislators, councils and The Latvian Union other services and laws which relate of Timber Harvesting to the timber industry, its related Companies was es- service industries, as well as the man- tablished in January agement of state and private forests 1994, when 29 com- and related trade processes. panies from the woodworking sector came together to The Latvian Association of Local defend the lawful rights and interests of and Regional Governments companies in the industry in relations with government institutions, to work together The Latvian Asso- with related organisations abroad, to set ciation of Local and up an information base, to deal with Regional Governments issues of specialisation and co-operation, is a voluntary organi- to promote exports, and to help partici- sation which joins to- pants with professional growth. gether the local gov- Today the association has 24 member ernments of parishes, companies which work in the timber cities, territories and industry, woodworking (mostly production districts in the Republic of Latvia. The of sawnwood), and exports. Each year association was established in December the companies fell 1.8 million m3 of wood 1991, and according to Article 96 of the and produce 210,000 m3 of sawnwood. Law on Local Governments, it has the right to represent local governments in negotia- The Association “Latvijas Mébeles” tions with the Cabinet of Ministers. That is because members of the association The association “Lat- include all 26 of the district local govern- vijas Mébeles” (Latvia’s ments, all 61 of the city local governments, Furniture) is a voluntary 386 of the 444 parish local governments public organisation and 17 of the 25 territorial local govern- which brings together ments in Latvia. The association is the only individuals and legal local government organisation of its kind in entities with business- Latvia. es that in any way relate to furniture, fur- These are the primary goals for the asso- niture parts and furniture components – ciation: production, trade and design alike. The • Shaping local government policies in overall aim is to develop and implement a Latvia; joint action programme. The association • Dealing with problems which local govern- has 22 members, including manufactur- ments have in common; ers of furniture, furniture parts and furni- • Defending the interests of local govern- ture components. ments. These are the association’s duties: The Latvian Association of • To represent the interests of the associa- Independent Timber Harvesting tion and its members and to defend their Companies rights in relations with government and administrative institutions; The Latvian Associ- • To draft viewpoints about Latvia’s local ation of Independent government policies in accordance with Timber Harvesting Com- proposals from local governments and panies is a public organi- their organisations; sation which represents • To promote co-operation among Latvia’s the interests of its mem- local governments and their organisations; bers and defends the rights of members and of • To provide local governments with neces- related service providers in relations with govern- sary information and services; ment institutions in Latvia and abroad. These are • To organise training for local council mem- the goals and activities of the association: bers and local government employees; • To unite Latvia’s timber industry • To facilitate social protections for local workers and service providers who government employees; are related to the sector; • To promote the emergence of businesses • To promote professional qualifica- which handle the issues that are of interest tions and exchange of knowledge; to local governments; • To be concerned about the prestige and legal • To facilitate co-operation with local gov- protection of the timber industry and its related ernments and local government organisa- service providers; tions in other countries; • To provide consultations to members • To organise the design of a local govern- on areas of professional activities; ment information processing system on • To handle self-governance functions the basis of unified principles.

FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA 31 ADDRESSES

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE THE “SILAVA” INSTITUTE Minister: Mårtiñß Roze Director: Mårtiñß Graudums Republikas laukums 2 Rîgas iela 111 Rîga, LV-1981 Salaspils, LV-2169 Telephone: +371 702-7107 Telephone: +371 794-2555 Fax: +371 702-7512 Fax: +371 790-1359 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] http://www.zm.gov.lv http://www.silava.lv

Deputy State Secretary for Forestry: LATVIA UNIVERSITY OF Arvîds Ozols AGRICULTURE, FOREST FACULTY Republikas laukums 2 Dean: Dagnis Dubrovskis Rîga, LV-1981 Akadémijas iela 11 Telephone: +371 702-7201 Jelgava, LV-3001 Fax: +371 702-7096 Telephone: +371 30-20010, E-mail: [email protected] +371 30-21619 http://www.zm.gov.lv Fax: +371 30-21619 E-mail: [email protected] Director, Department of Forest Policy: http://www.llu.lv. Jånis Bir©elis LATVIAN FUND FOR NATURE Republikas laukums 2 Board chairman: Ivars Kabucis Rîga, LV-1981 Director: Måris Kreilis Telephone: +371 702-7477 Raiña bulvåris 31-6 Fax: +371 702-7409 Rîga, LV-1050 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: +371 783-0291 http://www.zm.gov.lv E-mail: [email protected] http://www.ldf.lv Director, Department of Forest Resources: Valdis Lîdaka WWF LATVIJA Republikas laukums 2 Director: U©is Rotbergs Rîga, LV-1981 Elizabetes iela 8-4 Telephone: +371 702-7101 Rîga, LV-1010 Fax: +371 702-7094 Telephone: +371 750-5640 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: +371 750-5651 http://www.zm.gov.lv. E-mail: [email protected] http://www.wwf.lv THE STATE FOREST SERVICE Director general: Jånis Kinna LATVIAN ORNITHOLOGY SOCIETY 13. janvåra iela 15 President: Dr. Jånis Vîksne Rîga, LV-1932 AK-1010, Rîga, LV-1050 Telephone: +371 722-6600 Office: Kalnciema iela 27, Rîga Fax: +371 782-0377 Telephone: +371 722-1580 E-mail: [email protected]. Fax: +371 760-3100 http://www.vmd.gov.lv E-mail: [email protected] http://www.lob.lv LATVIAN STATE FORESTS President: Roberts Strîpnieks THE LATVIAN UNION OF TIMBER Kristapa iela 30 QUALITY EXPERTS Rîga, LV-1046 President: Antons Orinskis Telephone: +371 760-2075 Dzérbenes 27, Office 219 Fax: +371 780-5430 Rîga, LV-1006 E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: +371 9-422052 http://www.lvm.lv Fax: +371 755-5934 E-mail: [email protected] Head of Communications: THE LATVIAN FOREST INDUSTRIES Tomass Kotoviçs TRADE UNION Kristapa iela 30 Chairman: Juris Spåre Rîga, LV-1046 Bruñinieku iela 29/31 Telephone: +371 780-5432 Rîga, LV-1001 Fax: +371 780-5430 Telephone: +371 703-5931 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: +371 703-5947 http://www.lvm.lv E-mail: [email protected]

32 FOREST SECTOR IN LATVIA