Ever since Latvia joined the European Union in 2004, our farmers encounter both the opportunities and the challenges of the EU free market the same way as farmers of other Member States. Meanwhile, the conditions for Latvian farmers are becoming more tough since expenses for our farmers have reached the EU average level, but direct payments are considerably below the EU average level. More hard it will be for our farmers after more stringent environmental and climate requirements are established.
This situation requires solution and full external convergence of direct payments have to be done without any further delays and not later than within the next financial period 2021-2027.
Therefore, looking forward the European Council meeting on February 20th, we are issuing a non-paper with genuine and straightforward arguments on WHY CONVERGENCE OF DIRECT PAYMENTS SHOULD BE CONTINUED.