There were 2 quarantine-introduction laboratories in Latvia: In Botanical Gardens of Academy of Science in Salaspils and collective farm „Draudzība” in Talsi district. They were intended for satisfying the needs of Botanical Gardens and Latvian agriculture in respect of inspection of the planting material of fruit trees, shrubs, flowers and ornamental plants introduced from abroad (detection of hidden infection) and in respect of multiplication activities.

 

In 1967, the Plant Quarantine Inspection was renamed the Plant Quarantine Border Inspection.

 

Plant Quarantine Border Inspection carried out the phytosanitary control of import consignments of plant origin at border posts, issued phytosanitary certificates for exporting of plants and plant products and for movements of plants and plant products within the territory of USSR.

 

In case, plant quarantine organisms were established during the phytosanitary control of consignments, they were destroyed to preclude their further spread. The Fumigation Division carried out disinfection measures (fumigation) to destroy plant quarantine and other harmful organisms in the whole territory of the Baltic Republics. The consignments most often subject to fumigation were freight ships with cocoa beans from Africa, cotton consignments from Egypt, oranges from Morocco. 2 fumigation chambers were constructed in Latvia especially for disinfection of Mediterranean oranges infected with fruit fly, having a wide spectrum of host organisms and causing detrimental damages to fruit cultivation and gardening business. Fumigation Division made use of mainly two gasses: chloropicrin and brommethyl.

 

Every year, on regular basis, the quarantine inspectors carried out inspection and drew samples to survey the overall phytosanitary situation and establish the prevalence of plant quarantine organisms present in country. Qualified lab experts performed testing samples of soil, plants and plant products, detecting the presence of plant quarantine and other harmful organisms. At that time, the number of quarantine organisms was low, the inspections were carried out to detect the presence of   yellow potato cyst nematodes, potato wart disease, Colorado Beatle, pasm disease of linseed ”Pasmo”, as well as establishment of quarantine weeds. On the basis of results obtained in Plant Quarantine Laboratory, the inspectors identified the phytosanitary measures for the control of these organisms and checked on their implementation. Laboratory experts trained inspectors on regular basis, both, at theoretical training courses and workshops, teaching the sampling techniques for detection of plant quarantine organisms and other hazardous organisms and their identification.

 

1991, Latvian Plant Quarantine Border Inspection was merged with State Plant Protection Station (SPPS) in the status of Plant Quarantine Division and SPPS phytosanitary control posts were set up within the border customs control posts on the eastern border of the country : Pāternieki, Terehova and Grebņeva. New phytosanitary border post was set up also in the sea port of Salacgrīva.

 

At that time, the external trade structure was undergoing changes. After recovery of independence, the volume and assortment of imports increased in Latvia: propagating and planting material, fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and other products were imported at much larger amounts and from many more places of origin. As there were not phytosanitary control posts set up in all of customs border posts, problems arouse to perform phytosanitary control of the imported goods. This increased the risk of introduction into the country and spread of new hazardous, harmful organisms. Exports of food and feed grain increased the exports of timber materials went up in particular. So did the number of countries the plant products were destined from Latvia.

 

In 1992, Latvia joined European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization. Subsequently, experts of Plant Quarantine Division started to actively participate meetings and international seminars on phytosanitary issues.

 

In 1996, Plant Quarantine Division started the European Union and Latvian phytosanitary legislation harmonization process.

 

1997, Sanitary Border Inspection was set up, which overtook the functions of phytosanitary control of plant and plant product imports at customs border posts. Plant Quarantine Department prepares the methodological guidelines on phytosanitary control of goods, performs the documentary check in respect of phytosanitary control of consignments, and carries out training of inspectors employed by Sanitary Border Inspection.

 

As from 1999, the Plant Quarantine Division was the part of State Plant Protection Service, consisting of:

2001, State Plant Protection Service underwent re-organization. Subsequently, until 2005, Plant Quarantine Department was operational, consisting of:

 As from 1 July 2005, the Plant Quarantine Department incorporates: