RIGA, July 23 (LETA) - The Zemnieku Saeima (Farmers' Assembly) Association calls on the relevant authorities, local governments, and the state-owned road maintenance company Latvijas Valsts Celi to act promptly and immediately begin the necessary repair work on washed-out roads in several locations across Latvia, the association told LETA.

Zemnieku Saeima emphasizes that, due to the damage caused by the recent heavy rains, the situation is particularly severe in Kurzeme, especially in Talsi Municipality, where several sections of state and municipal roads have been flooded and washed out. Some roads are closed, while traffic is restricted in other areas.

The association notes that the damaged and closed roads currently pose the greatest threat to both the timely harvesting and transport of crops, as well as the collection of milk from livestock farms, the delivery of feed and fuel, and other urgent daily tasks on farms.

Zemnieku Saeima points out that farmers cannot wait several weeks for the roads to be fully restored. Crops must be harvested, and feed must be prepared when weather conditions permit.

Juris Lazdins, chairman of the board of Zemnieku Saeima, explains that farmers are currently reaping the results of a year’s work, and washed-out roads can prevent agricultural machinery, fuel suppliers, and grain transporters from reaching fields, threshing floors, processing facilities, and ports.

Depending on the region, the harvesting of winter barley, winter rapeseed, and peas has gradually begun, while in some areas, winter wheat is also being harvested. In the coming weeks, harvest operations will become increasingly intense, so safe and uninterrupted traffic on local and regional roads will be particularly important, the association notes, adding that road accessibility is also critically important for dairy farms, where milk collection and feed deliveries must be ensured on a regular basis.

Lazdins points out that when milk trucks cannot reach farms due to damaged or closed roads, it is impossible to transport the milk, and farms cannot store it for several days. As a result, the milk may have to be discarded, causing immediate losses.

The association also urges farmers themselves to be cautious, to avoid using closed and dangerous road sections, and to report to local governments and road maintenance authorities any locations where access to fields is hindered or completely blocked due to damage.

Zemnieku Saiema, founded in 1999, unites almost 900 farms across Latvia