Minister of Agriculture: we have to fight for Latvia’s interests in EU Climate Policy

We will have to fight for Latvia’s interests in European Union’s (EU) Climate Policy, said Latvia’s Minister of Agriculture Didzis Šmits in an interview to LTV programme Rīta Panorāma on Thursday, the 29th of December.
During his interview, Šmits said in all three sectors entrusted to him – agriculture, forestry and fishery – have many discussions ahead in relation to the implementation of the Climate Policy in Baltic States. At the same time, there is less to discuss in the fishery sector than it is in the other two sectors.
«But we will have to fight for Latvia’s interests, so that we are able to continue using our fields and forests as we have been using them all this time.»

When it comes to the climate policy, Latvia is an example to others, not a country that needs to do more to become a nature reserve,

said Šmits, adding that 52% of Latvia’s territory consists of forest.
The minister also said those responsible for climate pollution should be made to pay, not everyone together. «Latvia is an example of being green, and we will need to fight for it. We need agriculture, forestry and fishery, not just Slītere Nature Park,» said the minister.
He also mention that Latvia is not required to comply with all EU regulations automatically, rather the country should present its own interests. «No matter how much we discuss European solidarity, each country has its own national interests,» added the minister.
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