Nature protection and biodiversity - National Responses (Latvia)

Protection and management of biodiversity are stipulated in the relevant legislation and in the following policy planning documents:

• National Programme on Biological Diversity (2000),

http://www.vidm.gov.lv/eng/dokumenti/politikas_planosanas_dokumenti/?doc=3304

http://www.vidm.gov.lv/lat/dokumenti/politikas_planosanas_dokumenti/?doc=5388)

• Latvian Sustainable Development Strategy (2002)

http://www.vidm.gov.lv/eng/dokumenti/politikas_planosanas_dokumenti/?doc=3296

http://www.vidm.gov.lv/lat/dokumenti/ppd/files/text/LV_ilgtspejig_att_pamatnostadn.doc)

• National Environmental Policy Plan 2004-2008

http://www.vidm.gov.lv/eng/dokumenti/politikas_planosanas_dokumenti/

http://www.vidm.gov.lv/lat/dokumenti/politikas_planosanas_dokumenti/?doc=1679

• Guidelines for Land Policy 2008 -2014,

http://www.raplm.gov.lv/uploads/filedir/Zemes%20politika/Zemes%20politikas%20pamatnostadnes.doc

• Guidelines on Environmental Monitoring Programme 2009-2012

http://www.vidm.gov.lv/lat/dokumenti/ppd/

• Latvian Rural Development National Strategy Plan 2007-2013

http://www.zm.gov.lv/?sadala=1016

http://www.zm.gov.lv/doc_upl/Strategic_Plan_EN(2).doc)

• Draft Environmental Monitoring Programme (2009 - 2010).

An evaluation of the implementation of Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora indicates that appropriate protection is ensured for 33 % of habitats and 49 % of species. However, it was difficult to evaluate the protection status for 5 % of habitats and 21 % of species due to insufficient information. It is necessary to increase expert capacity to evaluate ecosystem services and assess the benefits and losses caused by nature protection restrictions. The environmental impact assessment procedure has been applied to development plans and projects which might affect the Specially Protected Nature Territories.

Source: Environment Policy Strategy (2009-2015), Part IV Nature

• http://www.vidm.gov.lv/lat/dokumenti/ppd/?doc=9338

• National Programme to restrict the expansion of hogweeds (Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden) 2006 –2012

http://www.vidm.gov.lv/lat/dokumenti/ppd/files/text/VidM_060606_Latvanu_izpl_ierobez_progr_2006-2012.doc