History of plant protection
The origin of plant protection in Latvia was marked by Baltic Cultivated Plants Pest and Disease Control Station, established in Priekuļi in 1913 by agronomist Jānis Bicka. From 1914 to 1923 this station operated as Baltic Bioentomological Station. In 1923, the station was moved to Riga and developed into Baltic Plant Protection Station. In 1948 it was re-named as Baltic Plant Protection Station, but since 1963 it was known as Baltic Branch of All-Union Plant Protection Institute.
In 1930, the Baltic Branch was re-organized into State Plant Protection Centre. Another organization carrying out research in the field of plant protection was Plant Protection Division of Latvian Research Institute of Agriculture and Economy with laboratories located at breeding trial stations and Plant Protection Chair of Latvian Agricultural Academy with Laboratory of Plant Virus Problems.
In 1958, implementing the mandatory plant protection measures in TRS (Technical Repair Stations), specialized plant disease and pest control groups were established, headed by plant protection agronomists. Plant Protection Inspection and Sub-division for recording and estimation of introduction and distribution of pests and diseases with signalling and projection points was set up under MOA. In 1961, the Republic Plant Protection Station was set up, establishing posts of senior plant protection agronomists in districts throughout the country.
The competency of the All-republic Plant Protection Station under Ministry of Agriculture of Latvian SSR, included:
- Management of the plant protection activities within the Republic;
- Elaboration of set of measures for combating weeds, plant pests and diseases;
- Control of plant protection measures over all land under the control of land users.
For implementation of plant protection activities, several large state farms and collective farms recruited agronomists or technicians responsible for planning of plant protection activities, formulation of pesticide applications, case recording of plant diseases and pest occurrence and monitoring thereof, recording of hibernating pests and diseases at hibernation places and other related tasks.
In 1975, the All-republic Sub-division for recording and estimation of introduction and distribution of pests and diseases was renamed the All-republic Agricultural Plant Pest and Disease Projection and Diagnostics Laboratory.
At that time, seven signalling and projection points were operational in the field of prevalence signalling of plant pests and diseases: in Bauskā, Aizpute, Viļāni, Gulbene, Valmiera, Ogre and Daugavpils. They were involved in recording of species of plant pests and diseases and estimating damages caused by them.
After restoration of state independence in 1991, the above station was renamed State Plant Protection Station. As the result of merger, it incorporated also All-republic Projection and Diagnostics Laboratory. Projection and diagnostic points were re-named Inter-district Phytosanitary Diagnostic Points.
In 1995 the Plant Pest and Disease Projection Division was involved in an international Project managed by Sweden addressing the recording and projection methodology of Rothamstead suction traps for pest aphids, fritfly and cereal disease recording and adaptation of projection models for Latvian circumstances. A large-scale co-operation is developed with colleagues from Denmark.
Pursuant to Order of MOA No. 75 from 12.07.1995, the State Plant Protection Station as of 1 August 1995 was assigned a new function: issuance of specific licences for trade in plant protection products.
By virtue of „Plant Protection Law” adopted on 5 October 1994, „Commercial Law” and Cabinet Decision No. 266 „ Concerning Procedure of Issuing Special Licences for Separate Commercial Activities” from 27 May, 1993, the instruction concerning issuance of the said licence was approved and licensing commission set up consisting of three experts.
In 1995, Trade and Usage Control Group of Plant Protection Products were established. After one year, when the numbers of the issued special licences had considerably grown, the inspection over the observance of plant protection regulatory enactments was started.
On 3 January 2000, Plant Protection Products’ Trade and Usage Control Division were established, which since 1 February 2002, is named Plant Protection Products’ Circulation Control Organization Division.
The State Plant Protection Service Projections and Diagnostics Laboratory founded in 2000, was transformed into Plant Pest and Disease Projections Division, which, after re-organization of the Service in 2001, acquired 7 regional divisions.
To protect the users of fertilizers from potential impacts of low quality fertilization products hazardous to human health, animal health and environment, „Law on Circulation of Fertilisers” was adopted on 1 November 2001. According to the said law, a number of functions and rights were delegated to State Plant Protection Service in the field of circulation of fertilisers: surveillance and control of circulation of fertilisers, reception, survey and evaluation of registration applications for fertilisers and other related documents, issuance and termination of registration certificates, maintenance of Register, data updating, etc.
In order to carry out the functions delegated by the Law, Fertiliser Surveillance Division was set up in October of 2002 which was incorporated in Plant Protection Department.