Interpellation regarding the state's plan to end compensation to farmers for damages caused by geese (No. 582)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Date: 2024-09-09 20:09
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 23
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 23m
AI Summaries: 23/23 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated an inquiry submitted on October 9, 2023, concerning the state’s plan to cease compensating farmers for damages caused by anseriformes (geese and related species). The members of the Riigikogu who participated in the inquiry—Rene Kokk, Martin Helme, Mart Helme, Henn Põlluaas, Helle-Moonika Helme, Varro Vooglaid, Anti Poolamets, Jaak Valge, and Arvo Aller—sought clarification on the situation from the Climate Minister and requested answers in the form of six questions. Minister Yoko Alender provided a response to the inquiry, thoroughly explaining why damage prevention has become the priority in decisions related to ending compensation, and how budgetary constraints have affected funding and further potential mechanisms. The second part of the session focused specifically on the role of preventative measures, the order of compensation distribution, and the handling of damages in special core areas (e.g., protected species). Future perspectives were also discussed—whether and when compensation might be restarted or replaced by other support measures. In summary, the central message was that prevention and greater effectiveness, coupled with the smart utilization of resources under conditions of a limited budget, can reduce damages, and in the future, should the situation improve, it may be possible to reconsider compensation.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made during this session. The Climate Minister presented the answers to the query, and further steps and possibilities for restarting compensation payments or implementing alternative support measures remained subjects for discussion. The Minister emphasized priority areas and the need to find sustainable solutions, but no specific promises or approvals were granted.
Most Active Speaker
Speaker: Helle-Moonika Helme; position: right-wing (far-right/party stance in the Riigikogu).
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is discussing an interpellation submitted on October 9, 2023, which asks about the state's plan to cease compensating farmers for damages caused by geese.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk stated that the interpellation submitted in October of last year regarding the termination of compensation for damages caused by geese remains topical. He addressed the minister with six questions to determine whether the situation for farmers has improved or worsened, and how these changes have impacted payments and costs.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller requested that Climate Minister Yoko Alender be given the floor to respond to the inquiry.
Kliimaminister Yoko Alender
AI Summary
Climate Minister Yoko Alender said that compensation for goose damage has not been terminated; rather, the priority order for compensation has been changed. Within the budget, funding is first allocated to damage prevention and compensation for damage caused by protected species. Last year, the reimbursement rate for prevention costs was raised from 3,200 to 9,600 euros, and if funds become available, it will be possible to continue compensating for goose damage. The process involves stakeholders and the goose consortium.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller announced that there were questions and invited Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme expresses concern that farmers have to bear the burden of feeding migratory birds themselves without compensation, and calls for decisions to be reassessed and preventive measures to be clarified.
Kliimaminister Yoko Alender
AI Summary
The presentation highlights prevention as the best method for damage reduction and mentions various preventive measures, including repellents, hazing, and shooting, and refers to studies assessing the effectiveness of goose deterrence on spring fields.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invited Kalle Grünthal to take the floor.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal said that deterrence measures are not working and that, in order to ensure food security, ongoing support for farmers is needed, along with finding money for them from the state budget, to prevent businesses from stalling and food production from being interrupted. He then asked for the minister's consent.
Kliimaminister Yoko Alender
AI Summary
Climate Minister Yoko Alender confirmed that there are no plans to discontinue farmers' subsidies. Direct payments amount to 178 million euros annually, with the total support for the sector reaching approximately 317 million euros—these are substantial amounts.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller called Kert Kingo to the stage.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo criticizes prevention and the use of deterrents, saying that if these deterrents actually worked, there wouldn't be any trouble with the geese, but in practice, neither shooting nor scaring them away is feasible, and prevention simply doesn't work.
Kliimaminister Yoko Alender
AI Summary
Both practice and examples from various countries demonstrate that prevention is the most effective measure; since damages have increased over the last decade, researchers and the sector are working together to make prevention even more effective and to increase its funding.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Mart Helme to speak.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme criticizes the effectiveness of the preventative measures, refers to the idea of placing large wind turbines on bird migration routes that would tear the flocks of birds to pieces, and concludes with the question of whether the staple diet of the Estonian people consists of grain products or wild game.
Kliimaminister Yoko Alender
AI Summary
Climate Minister Yoko Alender said that birds are being fed as a preventative measure for coastal meadows, and the climate-resilient economy law does not impose restrictions on meat consumption, but according to the Health Board, everyone could eat a matchbox-sized portion of meat every day, which would be beneficial for their health.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller calls upon Evelin Poolamets to speak.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets asks if the minister truly claimed that all geese are considered game animals and that it would be more appropriate to cull them now rather than paying compensation to farmers, and whether the chosen method for tackling the goose population is their destruction.
Kliimaminister Yoko Alender
AI Summary
Climate Minister Yoko Alender stated that the objective is not the culling of birds, but rather one individual will be shot as a deterrent, thereby preventing more extensive damage from occurring.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller called upon Rain Epler to speak.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler pointed out that the regulation of shooting (allowing and prohibiting) in Estonia is inconsistent. Furthermore, he stated that restrictions should not be implemented without compensation, as the burden falls directly on individuals, and society is not ready to shoulder these costs.
Kliimaminister Yoko Alender
AI Summary
Climate Minister Yoko Alender stated that the status of various species, as well as the extent to which and the reasons why one species or another should be hunted or pursued, are constantly being discussed, because the expansion of human settlements has restricted part of the natural habitat, which creates conflicts between animals and humans. Furthermore, she is unaware of any specific discussions regarding compensation having taken place, although her tenure is still very short.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
As there are no further questions, negotiations could be opened, but since there is no desire to negotiate, the third item on the agenda is concluded.