A state of emergency will start in 32 of Latvia’s regions on the 1st of April and will conclude in June. This measure is intended to protect valuable spruce trees and prevent a catastrophe that could be potentially caused by the rapid spread of spruce bark beetles, as reported by Ministry of Agriculture.
On Tuesday, the 28th of March, Latvia’s government approved the ministry’s order for the declaration of a state of emergency, announcing various restrictions for economic activities and various protective measures to reduce the activity of spruce bark beetles.
The ministry’s representatives explain that it is planned to implement various restrictions and protective measures in order to protect highly valuable spruce woods in danger with help from the State Forest Service and Latvian State Institute of Forestry Silava and other parties.
The ministry also notes that during the state of emergency no tree felling will be allowed in A and B protected zones, except for felling trees already affected by spruce bark beetles, which must be done in strict accordance with specific rules. In the C category protected zone no tree felling will be allowed, even for maintenance, within areas smaller than 0.8 ha.
felling restrictions in the vicinity of precious spruce stands are imposed in order to avoid attracting beetles and keeping trees safe.
To limit the damages already done to spruce trees restrictions are imposed within A, B and C protected zones. These restrictions state that it is allowed to fell trees if permission is received from the State Forest Service that the trees to be felled are already damaged by the beetles and preventing felling within a limited area can be performed to keep the rest safe.
Once preventive felling is performed, it will be necessary to set up pheromone traps in those areas.
Use of pheromone traps within forests owned by the state and Riga municipality is done by the managing party.
To ensure immediate implementation of measures during the state of emergency, the State Forests Service will issue special felling permits. These permits will remain valid for two months.
If a forest’s owner of legal manager holds a valid permit for tree felling in A, B and C protection zone and tree felling is prohibited by legislation, the State Forest Service is to make a decision to halt tree felling for the duration of the state of emergency.
Tree felling within A, B and C protection zones will be allowed for sanitary purposes and in strict accordance with reports from the State Forest Service.
The State Forests Service issues tree felling permits after receiving reports from the Nature Protection Office in which experts conclude felling is permitted.
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