Riga, March 4 (LETA) - Increasing flood risks may cause significant losses to farmers, especially those whose farms are located near rivers and floodplains, representatives of the association Farmers' Parliament informed LETA.

According to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVGMC), significantly warmer weather is expected at the beginning of March, which will result in more intense snowmelt and a significant rise in river water levels, creating flood risks, the association said.

Juris Lazdins, chairman of the association Farmers' Parliament, calls on farmers whose properties are located near rivers and floodplains, including the Daugava, Lielupe, Gauja and Venta rivers, to prepare a minimum safety plan for animals, property and machinery in time to avoid being caught unprepared by possible floods and to reduce the risks of potential damage.

Lazdins stressed the need to take care of farmers' own safety and that of their animals. Following weather forecasts and seeing that the risk of flooding is increasing, animals should be moved to a safer place well in advance. He pointed out that care must be taken to ensure that food and water supplies are available for the animals, that watering and ventilation systems are functioning and that solutions are prepared in the event of a power failure.

He also pointed out that in the event of flooding, there should be a clear plan of action, e.g. machinery, trailers and implements can be moved to higher ground that will not flood, and cooperation with neighboring farms is important.

Lazdins notes that it is necessary to ensure that access roads are available and that potentially hazardous substances and materials are safely secured to prevent spillage or contamination in the event of a flood.

The Farmers' Parliament is a farmers' organization, founded in 1999. It brings together more than 900 small and large farms from all over Latvia. Together, members manage more than 500,000 hectares of farmland and employ more than 4,000 people on their farms.