Forest owners in Latvia are facing several challenges, from restrictions on forest management to storm damage and increasing risks associated with spruce bark beetle outbreaks. For the Latvian Forest Owners’ Association, one of the main priorities remains ensuring that forest owners can manage their properties under clear and reasonable conditions.
One of the most pressing issues concerns compensation for restrictions on forestry activities in protected areas. The Association has repeatedly raised the need for fair compensation mechanisms, including land exchange or payments reflecting the value of standing timber. Forest owners should not have to bear the financial burden of nature conservation measures alone.
Recent amendments to Latvia’s tree-felling regulations have addressed some long-standing concerns. The changes simplify procedures for replacing unproductive forest stands and allow a faster response to spruce bark beetle infestations. In particular, the possibility of carrying out sanitary felling when fresh bark beetle damage is identified is important for limiting further damage to spruce stands.
Storm damage has also highlighted the importance of timely salvage logging and proper young stand tending. Dense, poorly managed stands can become more vulnerable to windthrow, particularly following late thinning operations. Early tending and appropriate stand management can help improve forest stability and reduce future risks.
The Association continues to advocate for regulations that take account of local forest conditions, changing climate risks and the practical experience of forest owners.
Another important issue is the development of voluntary nature conservation agreements. The Finnish approach, where landowners can enter into agreements with the state in return for compensation, provides an example worth considering in Latvia.
For long-term forest management, forest owners need predictable conditions, access to support for silvicultural activities and a meaningful role in decisions affecting their properties.
