Reklaam

Helena-Reet Ennet

Helena-Reet Ennet
4698 POSTS 0 COMMENTS

The Bill on amendments to this year’s state budget passed the second reading

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Bill will amend the distribution of expenditure by activities included in programmes and the distribution of funds between expenditure and investments. According to the State Budget Act, the Government may initiate an amendment of the State Budget Act without amending the total amount of funds not later than two months before the end of the budgetary year.

Parliamentary groups and members of the Riigikogu had submitted 88 motions to amend the Bill for its second reading. In addition, the Finance Committee had moved a motion to amend consisting of several amendments and mostly specifying expenditure. The Riigikogu began to review the motions to amend the Bill at Wednesday’s sitting and continued it at Thursday’s sitting last week. 61 of 89 motions to amend were voted on by the end of Thursday’s sitting. The remaining 28 motions to amend were reviewed without voting and taking recesses at today’s sitting.

Motions to amend the Bill on Amendments to the State Budget for 2023 Act (303 SE), initiated by the Government, for the third reading can be submitted until 5.15 p.m. on 15 November.

The Riigikogu heard ministers’ replies to 12 interpellations

The Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets replied to the interpellation concerning the border infrastructure (No. 195), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Priit Sibul, Andres Metsoja, Aivar Kokk and Helir-Valdor Seeder. According to the Members of the Riigikogu, in the in the current security situation, no cuts in the investments in the development of border infrastructure can be afforded but it is necessary to speed up the construction of a control line. The Members of the Riigikogu asked what was planned to be done to strengthen the surveillance of the border in the Gulf of Finland and on Lake Peipus and in the air, besides land border.

Läänemets said that, according to plans, the construction of the Estonian-Russian land border was expected to be completed by the end of 2025. “The aim is to build border infrastructure consisting of a delay fence and patrol paths on land, as well as various monitoring masts that will be equipped with necessary guarding equipment in order to ensure full situational awareness of what is going on at the border,” the Minister of the Interior said. He pointed out that the Estonian-Russian border stretched 338 kilometres, 135 kilometres of which was south-eastern border (a third of it the River Piusa), 127 kilometres Lake Peipus and 76 kilometres the River Narva.

The 23.5-kilometre border infrastructure section north of Luhamaa border crossing point was already completed last year. According to the Minister, work is ongoing with the second phase, an approximately 40-kilometre section where border infrastructure is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025 but, at the rate it is progressing, it will be completed by the end of 2024. The construction of the delay fence for a 21-kilometre section will also be completed by the end of 2024, and the border infrastructure on the 26-kilometre section for a large part running along the bank of the River Piusa will be completed by the end of 2025. Another land border section is located on a marshy area and works have started there to install mobile guarding devices which will also be implemented during 2025, according to the minister.

When speaking of guarding the sea border and airspace, Läänemets said that the vessels of the Police and Border Guard Board and maritime surveillance positions had been transferred to the Defence Forces whose responsibility covered the guarding of both the sea border and airspace. According to the minister, Lake Peipus was covered by alarm guarding to the full extent and no major development works were being planned there in the coming years but border guarding on the River Narva was being reinforced.

The Minister of the Interior also replied to the interpellations concerning the impact of the green transition on the area of administration of the Ministry of the Interior (No. 230), the impact of inflation on the area of administration of the Ministry of the Interior (No. 313) and the rise in VAT (No. 130 and No. 112).

The Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas replied to the interpellations concerning the closing down of schools in rural areas (No. 108), preservation of small schools (No. 291), the integral impact of the tax package (No. 229 and No. 139), the rise in VAT (No. 119), the impact of the green transition on the area of administration of the ministry managed by the minister (No. 142) and the concept of a uniform Estonian school (No. 275).

The sitting ended at 9.26 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592, +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Bill on amendments to this year’s state budget passed the second reading

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu wants the EU to move forward with developing defence industry

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee Liisa Pakosta underlined that in the new security situation, the European Union had to free the defence industry from unreasonable bureaucratic restrictions and considerably increase real defence capability.

“In my speech in Brussels at the discussion of the security in Europe in the 21st century, I also pointed out that the EU should not regard defence industry as something bad, almost like porn industry. Besides that, it is crucial that when regulating artificial intelligence, the artificial intelligence for defence purposes is not regulated. Otherwise, we will be in a situation where our sons and daughters may be killed on the battlefield because we regulated AI and our adversary did not,” Pakosta noted.

Deputy Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski said that the deadline for approving the EU budget for 2024 was approaching.

“It is important for Estonia that funds from the budget are allocated to provide comprehensive assistance to Ukraine and to deal with the consequences of the war of aggression against Ukraine concerning the economic, social and humanitarian impact,” Jufereva-Skuratovski said. She also emphasised the need to increase Europe’s strategic autonomy, and noted that to ensure energy security, reserve capacities were needed, therefore Estonia, for example, must retain the possibility to use oil shale.

Head of the European Commission Representation in Estonia Vivian Loonela gave the Committee an overview of the 2024 Work Programme of the European Commission. It was also discussed when Estonia’s positions at the meeting of the EU General Affairs Council were spoken about. It was highlighted that Estonia considered it important to continue comprehensive supporting of Ukraine and to hold Russia to account. The EU budget was under discussion in connection with the adoption of Estonia’s positions for the meeting of the EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council.

For more information, please contact: Liisa Pakosta, phone +372 502 6191

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu wants the EU to move forward with developing defence industry

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar to Prime Minister of Latvia: Better transport connections bring Estonia and Latvia closer to each other

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar pointed out that, on the one hand, Estonia and Latvia had excellent defence cooperation, both as neighbouring countries with a common history and as NATO allies, and on the other hand, transport connections between the two countries were being restored. “Not so long ago, I expressed my delight that Latvia has decided to build a new road bridge on the Via Baltica in Salacgriva, which will speed up traffic between Pärnu and Riga. Today we can talk about the next milestone, which is a direct train between Tartu and Riga. We must also do our best to ensure that Rail Baltic will be completed on schedule by 2030 – it is the project of the century that will connect us with the rest of Europe,” he said.

Hussar noted that the relations between Estonia and Latvia were excellent in all areas and we were mutually examples for one another, for example Latvia set an example for Estonia in the transition to education in national language. “Estonia, in its turn, can confirm that the introduction of gender-neutral marriage was painful at first, but once it was introduced, this issue no longer divides society. In this sense, there is a constructive competition between us, we have many common plans and we are eagerly looking forward to their implementation,” he said.

Prime Minister of Latvia Evika Siliņa assumed office on 15 September, and this visit was her first official visit to Estonia.

Chairman of the Estonia-Latvia Parliamentary Friendship Group Peeter Tali also attended the meeting.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
+372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

 

Link uudisele: Hussar to Prime Minister of Latvia: Better transport connections bring Estonia and Latvia closer to each other

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu passed an Act promoting the fight against VAT fraud in cross-border e-commerce

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Act on Amendments to the Value Added Tax Act and the Taxation Act (225 SE), initiated by the Government, will improve the fight against VAT fraud in cross-border e-commerce.

The Act establishes an obligation for payment service providers to store the data regarding the payees of cross-border payments and to transmit them to the tax authority quarterly if the total number of payments per payee exceeds 25 payments in a quarter. Tax authorities will transmit the data to the European Union’s central electronic system of payment information.

The Act is connected with a European Union directive that Members States will have to transpose and implement from next year.

During the debate, Martin Helme (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Liisa Pakosta (Estonia 200) and Annely Akkermann (Reform Party) took the floor.

71 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act and 14 voted against.

The Riigikogu appointed new members to the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia

With the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Appointment of Members of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia Who Are Specialists in the Field” (333 OE), submitted by the Finance Committee, experts in the field Krista Jaakson, Karin Jõeveer and Ivi Proos were appointed as new members of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia in connection with the expiry of the mandate of Ivi Proos, Enn Listra and Rein Minka.

The Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia is the oversight body of the Bank of Estonia which consists of a Chairman, representatives of the parliamentary groups of the Riigikogu and specialists in the field. The Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia is formed based on the principle that each parliamentary group of the Riigikogu nominates one of its members and the Chairman of the Board nominates four specialists in the field.

During the debate, Henn Põlluaas (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor.

68 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Resolution and 14 voted against, and there was one abstention.

Two draft Resolutions passed the first reading

The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the International Military Operation Inherent Resolve” (310 OE), submitted by the Government. It will enable to contribute with up to 110 servicemen to the US-led international military operation Inherent Resolve in 2024.

Mart Helme (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor during the debate.

The Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group moved to reject the draft Resolution at the first reading, but the motion was not supported. 2 members of the Riigikogu supported rejection and 75 voted against.

The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the Post-Conflict Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon, Israel, Egypt and Syria” (311 OE), submitted by the Government, will enable to contribute with up to three servicemen to the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operation in the Middle East in 2024.

During the debate, Ants Frosch (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) and Kristo Enn Vaga (Reform Party) took the floor.

The Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group moved to reject the draft Resolution at the first reading, but the motion was not supported. 2 members of the Riigikogu supported rejection and 63 voted against.

The first reading of a draft Resolution was adjourned

The first reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Mission in Iraq” (312 OE), submitted by the Government, which will enable to contribute with up to three servicemen in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization mission in Iraq in 2024, will continue at the plenary sitting beginning at 2 p.m. tomorrow.

The first reading of seven drafts was deferred to the agenda for the next sitting

Due to the end of the working hours of the sitting, the first reading of seven drafts was also deferred to tomorrow’s plenary sitting. They are the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the UN Peacekeeping Operation in Lebanon” (313 OE), submitted by the Government, the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the Composition of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Readiness Units” (314 OE), submitted by the Government, the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the Composition of the United Kingdom’s Joint Expeditionary Force” (315 OE), submitted by the Government, the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the European Union Training Mission in Mozambique” (316 OE), submitted by the Government, the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in International Military Operations Led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or its Member State, or the European Union, and in other International Military Operations Led by the United Nations, upon the First Contribution thereto” (317 OE), submitted by the Government, the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the European Union Military Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI” (318 OE), submitted by the Government, and the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (337 SE), initiated by the Finance Committee.

After the sitting, it was planned to form the Estonia-Africa Parliamentary Friendship Group on the initiative of Hanah Lahe, the Estonia-Iceland Parliamentary Friendship Group on the initiative of Pärtel-Peeter Pere, and the support group to promote the building of an annex to the Estonian National Opera on the initiative of Enn Eesmaa, Helle-Moonika Helme, Mart Helme, Siim Kallas, Liina Kersna, Signe Kivi, Heljo Pikhof and Kadri Tali.

The sitting ended at 2.01 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Eleen Lindmaa
+372 631 6456, +372 5551 4433
eleen.lindmaa@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu passed an Act promoting the fight against VAT fraud in cross-border e-commerce

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu heard the replies to eight interpellations

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Members of the Riigikogu Jaanus Karilaid and Ester Karuse had submitted an interpellation concerning the underfunding of roads to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

The interpellators referred to the report by the National Audit Office according to which the funding of national roads in its present form was not sustainable and the Estonian state was planning to allocate a smaller amount for the maintenance of highways next year than had been allocated in 2013–2022.

The Prime Minister explained that, with the decreasing funding, they were unable to meet all the objectives set for the preservation and development of national roads. “In a situation where there is not enough money to meet the objectives, priorities need to be set in activities,” Kallas said. She referred to the fact that the state budget was currently in chronic deficit, and that was not sustainable.

Kallas said that the maintenance expenditures necessary to ensure that the road network met the conditions had not been cut and there was no plan to save on them in any way. That was also proved by the road maintenance expenditure trends for the previous and the planned period in the budget of the Transport Administration. Correspondingly, it had been 36.1 million euro, including 16.3 million for winter maintenance, in 2020, and 37.6 million euro, that is, over 10 million euro more, including 17.3 million for winter maintenance, in 2021. In 2022, 40 million euro had gone into road maintenance which had again been more than in 2021, including 19 million for winter maintenance. 44.5 million euro have been planned for the maintenance of roads, including 20.6 million euro for winter maintenance, in 2023, and 45.4 million euro, including 21.1 million euro for winter maintenance, in 2024. “So, as you can see form these numbers, these funds are increasing steadily,” the Prime Minister noted.

Kallas pointed out that the maintenance of roads and security were definitely significantly interlinked, because there were less risk factors for accidents on roads that were in good condition and well maintained. At the same time, it must be taken into account that there are considerably more than one accident risk factors. “The biggest accident risk factor is speed which determines the consequences of a traffic accident and the degree of severity of injuries,” Kallas said.

The Prime Minister added that, looking at infrastructure as a whole, in fact 400 million euro was being invested in infrastructure this year, but much more of it was going into railways than into roads.

Prime Minister also replied to the interpellations concerning the weakening of local governments, and regional disparities, the livelihood of local governments, the funding of health care, the livelihood of disabled people, and regional development in view of the planned tax rise, submitted by members of the Riigikogu.

Kallas did not have to reply to the interpellation concerning the establishment of Tallinn Hospital because of the absence of the interpellator.

The Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur replied to the interpellation concerning national defence.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna replied to interpellations concerning the rise in VAT.

Tsahkna did not have to reply to another interpellation concerning the rise in VAT due to the absence of interpellators.

The interpellation concerning the integral impact of the tax package and the interpellation concerning transparency of the legislative process submitted to the Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur, and the interpellation concerning transparency of the legislative process submitted to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna were removed from today’s agenda.

The sitting ended at 6.33 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal
+372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

 

 

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu heard the replies to eight interpellations

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Chairs of EU parliamentary committees discuss Moldova’s European integration

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Mihkelson pointed out that Russia’s hostile plans did not involve Ukraine alone, but the security of Europe in a wider sense. In his opinion, the Western allies must therefore do all in their power to help Ukraine win the war. “At the same time, we must also pay attention to Moldova, which has made great progress as an EU candidate country, despite the difficult security and economic situation, and whose government remains firmly on a European course,” he said, and affirmed that Estonia supported Moldova’s European integration and was happy to share its reform experience.

The meeting of the Chairs of parliamentary committees of the European Union countries will be opened by President of Moldova Maia Sandu, President of the Parliament of Moldova Igor Grosu and Prime Minister Dorin Recean. At the meeting, which will last all day, the issues relating the Moldova’s EU integration, economic development and security, including energy security, will be discussed with the participation of the representatives of the Parliament and the Government of Moldova.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Chairs of EU parliamentary committees discuss Moldova’s European integration

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Mihkelson: If we lose in Ukraine, we will also lose in Middle East

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson welcomed his Norwegian colleagues and said that fighting against Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continued to be a priority for us. “There is also a war going on in the Middle East, and we see connections between them. If we lose in Ukraine, we will lose everywhere, including in the Middle East,” Mihkelson emphasised.

Mihkelson pointed out that Russia’s as well as China’s strategic goals were for the long term, and that Russia’s position was strong enough to continue pursuing these goals for a long time and to do so at the cost of the well-being of its people. “Russia’s aim is to end the hegemony of the USA and to destroy the security architecture of Europe. Next year, they will spend 60 percent of their state budget on war, and this is only the public part of military expenses. The Allies must not underestimate that,” he stated.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee underlined that Norway’s assistance to Ukraine was of great value, but noted that the allies still did not have a common vision of what the end of this war should be. “The Ukrainians have a strong will to fight, but they need technology and ammunition. Our assistance must remain steadfastly strong. It is also important that Sweden became a member of NATO as soon as possible,” Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee said.

Deputy Chairman of the National Defence Committee Leo Kunnas and member of the National Defence Committee Meelis Kiili, as well as members of the Foreign Affairs Committee Eerik-Niiles Kross and Anti Poolamets also participated in the meeting.

Eight members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence of the Storting (Parliament) of Norway are visiting Estonia. The head of the delegation is Chair of the Committee Ine Eriksen Søreide. During the visit, the Norwegian delegation will also meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defence of Estonia.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
+372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Mihkelson: If we lose in Ukraine, we will also lose in Middle East

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The European Union Affairs Committee discusses opportunities and impacts of AI at a public sitting

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee Liisa Pakosta pointed out that so far it had not been the practice to discuss EU initiatives at public sittings, so it was a unique opportunity to follow the sitting both at the Riigikogu and online. She noted that the discussion was motivated by the EU regulation on artificial intelligence, which was planned to be adopted in a few months.

“It would be the first regulation of this scope in the world,” Pakosta said. According to her, the Committee wishes to get information on the current state of negotiations in the European Union and on how successful Estonia has been in defending its positions. “We also want to know what will be the impacts, opportunities and risks relating to the artificial intelligence regulation for the Estonian people and economy if the regulation were to be adopted in its current form,” Pakosta added.

Head of the European Commission Representation in Estonia Vivian Loonela and Government Chief Data Officer at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications Ott Velsberg will outline the contents and the situation of the EU draft regulation on artificial intelligence. Member of the Riigikogu and IT entrepreneur Andrei Korobeinik, co-founder of Pactum AI Kristjan Korjus, founder of Threod Systems Mikk Murumäe and founder of Net Group Priit Kongo will also deliver reports.

The reports will be followed by a debate with experts and members of the Riigikogu. For the first time, it will be possible to send questions to members of the European Union Affairs Committee and the speakers through the Slido platform before and during the sitting.

Discussion on artificial intelligence is the second item on the agenda of the Committee sitting. At the beginning of the sitting, the European Union Affairs Committee will be given an overview of Estonia’s positions at the informal meeting of the Competitiveness Council of the European Union on 6–7 November.

The public sitting starts at 9 a.m. and it streamed live on the Riigikogu website and on Facebook. Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Members of the press are welcome to cover the event. The sitting will be held in the Conference Hall of the Riigikogu and last around two hours. After the sitting, it will be possible to interview the experts and the members of the European Union Affairs Committee.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The European Union Affairs Committee discusses opportunities and impacts of AI at a public sitting

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Chairs of Baltic Foreign Affairs Committees are on a joint visit to Turkey

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Mihkelson said that the main topics of the visit would be supporting Ukraine in Russia’s ongoing war of aggression, as well as Sweden’s NATO accession process. “I am very happy that the protocols of the North Atlantic Treaty on Sweden’s accession to NATO have reached the Turkish Parliament for ratification. We hope that soon we will see Sweden as a full member of the Alliance,” he added.

The increasingly tense situation in the South Caucasus and the impact of the Israel-Hamas war on the security situation in the Middle East will also be discussed at the meetings.

Mihkelson underlined that the defence cooperation with Turkey was also important for Estonia. “Turkey is a very important partner and ally for us in NATO. The cooperation agreement of defence industries that was signed by our Ministers of Defence the week before last and the procurement contract for nearly 230 wheeled armoured vehicles, which directly contributes to Estonia’s security, are examples of our excellent relations,” he noted.

During the visit, the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of Baltic Parliaments will meet with Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Fuat Oktay, Chairman of the National Defence Committee Hulusi Akar and Chairman of the Turkey – European Union Joint Parliamentary Committee İsmail Emrah Karayel. They also plan to have meetings with the President’s Foreign Policy and Security Chief Advisor, former Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish Parliament Akif Çağatay Kiliç, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mehmet Kemal Bozay.

Besides Mihkelson, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima (Parliament) of Latvia Rihards Kols and Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania Žygimantas Pavilionis participate in the visit.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Chairs of Baltic Foreign Affairs Committees are on a joint visit to Turkey

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu supports breeding, cultivation and use of plants obtained by new breeding techniques

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee Liisa Pakosta pointed out that plant breeding was particularly important for Estonia. “We also have several strong actors in this field, like the Estonian University of Life Sciences, Polli Horticultural Research Centre and the University of Tartu. Scientists have invented new ways of breeding plant varieties that imitate nature itself and are already being used by the rest of the world,” Pakosta said.

“The possibility of breeding new plant varieties so that the genetic modification techniques banned in the EU are not used, but opportunities are found to breed plants in a way similar to natural cross-breeding or random mutations, is very important for Estonian farmers and forest growers,” the Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee said. “Such work by scientists could relieve our children of some of the current worries, from withering of fir seedlings to the need to use dangerous chemicals to control pests. Genetic modification will continue to be banned, but, in simple terms, pushing of what happens in nature itself will be allowed. I am happy that all political parties supported this innovation, which is necessary for Estonia.”

Pakosta added that one of Estonia’s aims at the negotiations held in the European Union was to also find suitable solutions for organic production, as the new breeding techniques developed by scientists could be useful in the organic sector as well. “At the moment, organic production is excluded not for substantial reasons, but because there are opposing views among organic producers about the new breeding technologies. Estonian organic producers were not against the draft regulation during the proceedings,” Pakosta added.

At the sitting, it was noted that the achievements of science and innovation had created precision breeding techniques that could be used to breed plants in the way it would occur in nature, or varieties that were considered equivalent to conventional plants. It was pointed out that existing EU legislation was outdated and the regulation dealt with innovative methods of plant breeding that had emerged since 2001.

According to Estonia’s positions, it is correct to consider the plant varieties obtained through new breeding techniques that can also be obtained naturally or by conventional breeding methods equivalent to varieties obtained by classical plant breeding, and to treat them separately from genetically modified organisms. The characteristics that contribute to sustainability, like resistance to diseases, climate adaptation and enhanced yield, are important in conventional as well as new breeding techniques.

Head of the Research and Development Department Mai-Liis Palginõmm and Chief Specialist Kadri Just of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture participated in the discussion of this agenda item and gave an overview of the initiative.

The European Union Affairs Committee, in line with the opinion of the Rural Affairs Committee, decided to approve the positions of the Government on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques.

For more information, please contact: Liisa Pakosta, phone +372 502 6191

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu supports breeding, cultivation and use of plants obtained by new breeding techniques

Source: Parliament of Estonia

1...606162...470Page 61 of 470