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Regulation relevant to alien species - Latvia (LV)

Name of Act (area) Law on Protection of Species and Habitats
Number of act Law of Latvia Republic 16.03.2000
Special section(s) relevant to IAS

Chapter IV, Introduction and re-introduction of population of species.
Article 18. Regulations of the introduction of species.

Content of regulations - mode of operation The law prohibits release and intentional introduction of species alien to Latvia. Exceptions such as if the introduction is needed to satisfy importunate economic or social needs is permitted only if a complex environmental assessment is carried out and a permit by the responsible institutions is issued. In a case if a species is introduced, the initiator of the introduction must carry out a monitoring of the introduced populations and their ecological effect and the results must be regularly submitted to the responsible institution.
Link to national version (natl languange) or a file (word or pdf) http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?id=3941
If available in English – link to UK version: http://www.vidm.gov.lv/eng/likumdosana/?doc=3312

Name of Act (area) National Programme on Biological Diversity
Number of act 2000
Special section(s) relevant to IAS Several chapters state the targets for the particular ecosystem complexes. 

Chapter 1 - Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga.
1.6. Prevent expansion of introduced species.
1.6.1. Ensure a ban on introduction of alien species into natural profoundwaters, and restrictions on their growing in fish ponds.
1.6.2. Control the use of ballast waters.
1.6.3. Support the study of distribution and population dynamics of introduced species in waters and their effect of local populations.

Chapter 2 - Beach and dunes.
2.1.8. Encourage use of local species for dune stabilisation and prohibit planting of alien species on dunes.
2.1.9. Limit the growth of expansive plants (for example Rosa rugosa, Hippophae rhamnoides, Eleagnus sp.) growth on dunes.

Chapter 4 - Forests.
4.4.3. Monitor the distribution of alien species in forests and combat invasive species.

Chapter 10 - Urban ecosystems.
10.1. Identify the trends in expansion of distribution of species in human environments with applying appropriate monitoring.
10.1.1. Control the expansion of aggressive weeds.

Chapter 13 - Forestry.
13.9. Control the distribution of foreign tree species in forests.

13.9.1. Utilise specific tending methods in forests with high densities of alien tree species in plant communities.

Chapter 14 - Agriculture.
14.8. Contain the distribution of invasive introduced species.
14.8.2. Promote study of distribution of introduced species and their entry to natural communities.
14.8.3. Control the distribution of aggressive species, especially by their removal from natural communities.
14.8.4. Develop and implement regulations on introduction of new crops, and stipulate grower responsibility for damages ensued to local species and communities.

Chapter 15 - Fishery.
15.3. Prevent entry of foreign fish species or other organisms into the natural environment.
15.3.1. Control and combat the already widespread aggressive species.
15.3.2. Assess the safety of the utilised technologies for fish growing in existing aquacultures, and the impact of possible release of the grown foreign species in natural ecosystems.

Chapter 16 - Game animal management.
16.5. Prevent the impact of introduced species on natural populations.
16.5.1. Promote hunting of introduced predator species.
16.5.2. Monitor the population dynamics of introduced predator species.
16.5.3. Develop legislation on introduction of alien species and ensure compliance.

Chapter 21 - Urban environment and city management.
21.5. Control spread of alien species in cities.
Content of regulations - mode of operation.

 

The development of the Program on Biological Diversity involved identification of the problems in protection of ecosystem, species and genetic diversity. Each chapter includes a short, general description of the respective ecosystem or sector, followed by identification of the main problems in conservation of biological diversity. Within each chapter, the problems are numbered. Besides the listed main problems whose have obvious importance in conservation of biological diversity, specific and sometimes detailed problems are also given. An objective was not to derive problems having equal magnitude among the chapters, since this would be difficult considering the differences in available knowledge and specificity of the various ecosystems and sectors. The problems are not listed by priority. An objective is provided for each problem. Before each problem, a brief description and means to achieve the objectives are provided. Within each chapter, the objectives are numbered. The causes of the problems, and the solutions to eliminate the causes, are not treated separately from solutions focused on reduction of the effects.
Link to national version (natl languange) or a file (word or pdf)

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

If available in English – link to UK version: http://www.vidm.gov.lv/eng/dokumenti/politikas_planosanas_dokumenti/?doc=3304

Name of Act (area) On Issuance of Permits for Taking from Wild Non-game Species, Introduction of Wild Species that are Alien to Latvia (Introduction) as well as for Restoration of Previously Extinct Population of Species (Re-introduction)
Number of act Regulation by the Cabinet of Ministers No. 34 (23.01.2001.)
Special section(s) relevant to IAS Chapters 1, 2, 12, 16, 21
Content of regulations - mode of operation.

Use short descriptive prose.

These regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers establish the order of introduction of wild species that are alien to Latvia (introduction) as well as for restoration of previously extinct population of species (re-introduction) and issuance of permits of taking from wild non-game species.
Link to national version (natl languange) or a file (word or pdf) http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?id=2326&from=off
If available in English – link to UK version:

http://www.vidm.gov.lv/vad/English/Legisl/Gov.html


Name of Act (area) Plant Protection Law
Number of act Law of the Latvian Republic (17.12.1998.), sections relevant to invasive alien species were added by amendments in the law in 02.11.2006.
Special section(s) relevant to IAS Chapter 1 – definition of invasive plant species.

Chapter 1, Article 4 – defines the responsibility of governmental institutions which carry out the monitoring of invasive alien plant species in agricultural lands, establish and run a data base and carry out the control of the management of invasive plant species.

Chapter 2, Article 17 – defines the responsibility of the governmental institutions. The regulations on invasive plant species are issued by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Chapter 4, Article 18, 19 – defines the order how to gather information on the distribution of invasive alien plant species, how to control, how to monitor them. Cultivation and introduction of invasive alien plant species is prohibited, and the owner of the invaded area must report data on the invaded areas to the responsible governmental institution.
Content of regulations - mode of operation.

 

The law provides a definition of invasive alien plant species, defines the general order of the system how to gather information on invasive alien plant species, invaded areas, how to control and monitor invasive alien plant species, the responsibilities and basis of the control system.
Link to national version (natl languange) or a file (word or pdf) www.likumi.lv/doc.php%3Fid%3D147909%26from%3Doff+invaz%C4%ABva+likumi.lv&cd=1&hl=lv&ct=clnk&gl=lv
If available in English – link to UK version:

Can be found by keywords if searching in:

http://www.ttc.lv/advantagecms/LV/tulkojumi/meklet_dokumentus.html


Name of Act (area)

Regulations Regarding Restriction of the Distribution of Invasive Alien Plant Species

Number of act Regulation by the Cabinet of Minister No. 467 (30.06.2008.)
Special section(s) relevant to IAS  
Content of regulations - mode of operation.

Use short descriptive prose.

The regulation defines the order of monitoring, surveillance, control and providing information on invasive alien plant species as well as the order how a species can be included in the list of invasive alien plant species and how it can be used for scientific purposes.
Link to national version (natl languange) or a file (word or pdf) http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?id=177513
If available in English – link to UK version:

Can be found by keywords if searching in:

http://www.ttc.lv/advantagecms/LV/tulkojumi/meklet_dokumentus.html

Name of Act (area) List of invasive plant species
Number of act Regulation by the Cabinet of Ministers No. 468 (30.06.2008.)
Special section(s) relevant to IAS Defines the list of invasive plant species.
Content of regulations - mode of operation.

Use short descriptive prose.

The regulation states the list of invasive plant species. By 2010, only one species – Heracleum sosnowskyi is being included in this list.
Link to national version (natl languange) or a file (word or pdf) http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?id=177511&from=off
If available in English – link to UK version:

Can be found by searching in:

http://www.ttc.lv/advantagecms/LV/tulkojumi/meklet_dokumentus.html

Name of Act (area)

Regulations Regarding Restricting the Spread of the Invasive Plant Species – Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden

Number of act Regulation by the Cabinet of Ministers No. 559 (09.08.2008.)
Special section(s) relevant to IAS The regulation is dedicated to the particular species and its control only.
Content of regulations - mode of operation.

Use short descriptive prose.

The regulation states the order of the control of Heracleum sosnowskyi. The regulation includes the measures needed for eradication of the species including methods and work safety instructions.
Link to national version (natl languange) or a file (word or pdf) http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?id=179511&from=off
If available in English – link to UK version:

Can be found by keywords if searching in:

http://www.ttc.lv/advantagecms/LV/tulkojumi/meklet_dokumentus.html

Name of Act (area) Control program for giant hogweed Heracleum sosnowskyi 2006 – 2012
Number of act Approved by the Order by the Cabinet of Ministers No. 426 (06.06.2006.)
Special section(s) relevant to IAS The program is dedicated to the particular species and its control only.
Content of regulations - mode of operation.

Use short descriptive prose.

The document includes description and analysis of the current situation, targets, summary of the results of previous studies on Heracleum sosnowskyi and its control, and suggestions for further actions toward eradication of this species. The program is aimed at establishment of well-coordinated eradication system which would diminish the distribution and spread of H. sosnowskyi, thus reducing the related health hazards, damage to local ecosystems, economics, and landscape quality. The program provides mechanisms to establish a system with administration of financial resources, principles of supporting the land owners in order to control the invasive species, the responsibility and penalty principles, establishment and maintenance of surveillance system and information data basis.
Link to national version (natl languange) or a file (word or pdf) www.vidm.gov.lv/.../VidM_060606_Latvanu_izpl_ierobez_progr_2006-2012.doc
If available in English – link to UK version:  

Name of Act (area) Administrative Procedure Law
Number of act Law of the Republic of Latvia (07.12.1984.)
Special section(s) relevant to IAS Amendments on invasive species included in amendments of 21.06.2007.

Chapter 7, Article 51 – defines the responsibility of private and legal persons and determine the penalty of non-fulfilment of measures in control of invasive plant species and introduction of prohibited invasive species within the country.

Content of regulations - mode of operation.

Use short descriptive prose.

The target of the law is to ensure the observance of basic democratic, law-governed state principles, especially human rights, in specific public legal relations between the State and a private person; to subject actions of executive power relating to specific public legal relations between the State and a private person to the control of an independent, impartial and competent judicial power; and to ensure just, accurate and effective application of the norms of law in public legal relations.
Link to national version (natl languange) or a file (word or pdf) http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?id=89648
If available in English – link to UK version:

Can be found by keywords if searching in:

http://www.ttc.lv/advantagecms/LV/tulkojumi/meklet_dokumentus.html?query=administrative&resultsPerPage=10