Code of Good Agricultural Practice for Latvia 1999 Country/Territory Latvia Document type Miscellaneous Date 1999 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Agricultural & rural development, Livestock, Environment gen., Land & soil, Cultivated plants, Water, Wild species & ecosystems Keyword Agricultural development Sustainable development International trade Biodiversity Cultural heritage Geographical area Europe, Europe and Central Asia, European Union Countries, Northern Europe Abstract The Code of Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) has been elaborated to comply with the requirements of the EU Nitrate Directive which Latvia has obliged itself to implement during the process of preparation for EU membership. Only codes written in shadowed text boxes are compulsory as they refer to the existing Latvian legislation. The Code contains legislation obligations, recommendations and practical advice envisaged for farmers, horticulturists, individual growers, agriculture service employees and for everyone who is involved in agricultural production and preservation of rural environment. The aims of the Good Agriculture Practice are to decrease the negative influence of farming on the environment and to prevent the impoverishment and irrational use of the main nature resources - soil, water, plants, animals, and landscape. It is recommended to follow the rules accepted in Europe and in other developed countries, so that Latvian goods would not meet barriers in international markets and our rural environment would remain attractive for tourists. GAP comprises main spheres of agricultural activities that are critical in causing water, air, and soil pollution. It gives advice for the prevention or at least for the decrease of pollution. A successful implementation of GAP has to be based on three integrated basic principles: economically viable, environmentally friendly, and socially acceptable. The Code covers the following general areas: crops, soils and fertilizers; animal husbandry; collection and storage of organic manure; plant protection; water resources; agricultural systems; and biological diversity and landscape. Full text English/Latvian Website www.varam.gov.lv