Inquiry Regarding Latvian Red Beetles in Estonia (no. 796)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary sitting
Date: 2025-09-15 19:51
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 57
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 33m
AI Summaries: 57/57 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated an interpellation concerning Latvian red deer in Estonia, submitted by Riigikogu members Arvo Aller, Rain Epler, Rene Kokk, Evelin Poolamets, Helle-Moonika Helme, and Anti Poolamets. The inquiry was introduced by Arvo Aller, who highlighted the concerns of local farmers regarding the ear-tagged deer that were ravaging fields in the vicinity of Kunda and Viru-Nigula. Confusion prevailed over whether the animals were wild or domestic, meaning the relevant agencies (the Environmental Board and the Veterinary and Food Board, PTA) were unable to offer a unified solution for a long time.
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras responded to the interpellation, confirming that 18–20 red deer were illegally brought into Estonia from Tukums County, Latvia (from the company SIA Dunduru plavas) by private individual Meelis Järve in December 2024 for the purpose of sausage production. The animals escaped during unloading. Since the animals have ear tags, the owner or their heirs are responsible for the damage caused (which exceeds 4,000 euros). The Environmental Board has issued three permits for the culling of nuisance individuals, one of which has been executed. The Minister emphasized that officials have acted within their competence, and the ministry is developing clear guidelines for resolving similar cross-border and legally complex hybrid situations. The discussion expanded to cover the management of wild animal populations (wolves, bears, wild boars) and food security, particularly in connection with the spread of swine fever and unfavorable agricultural conditions.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Mart Helme (right) was the most active participant in the negotiations, broadening the discussion from the topic of red deer to include the problems posed by alien species (cougars, raccoon dogs), damage caused by predators, and African swine fever, and calling on the government to declare a state of emergency in agriculture.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announces the interpellation concerning Latvian red deer in Estonia as the third item on the agenda and asks Arvo Aller to introduce it.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar moved on to the third item on the agenda, which was an interpellation submitted by members of the Riigikogu concerning Latvian red deer in Estonia, and asked Riigikogu member Arvo Aller to proceed with presenting it.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller is repeating the interpellation he submitted in June regarding the red deer with ear tags wandering around in Northern Estonia, specifically in the vicinity of Kunda and Viru-Nigula. These deer caused damage to farmers, and there was great confusion among government agencies concerning their status (whether they were domestic or wild animals), which prevented the situation from being resolved. He is demanding answers and clarity from the minister, as the situation has not improved in the interim.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller submitted a six-question interpellation regarding red deer in North Estonia, which addresses the red deer located in the vicinity of Kunda and Viru-Nigula and the resulting confusion over their status—whether they are wild or domestic animals—as there is no unified message among the agencies. He hopes that the minister will provide a clarification and an overview of the situation by summer.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asked the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, to return to the Riigikogu rostrum to answer the interpellation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invited the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, back to the Parliament's rostrum to answer the interpellation.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
In short, the minister explains that the red deer were illegally brought into Estonia from a Latvian farm without a veterinary certificate. They have been living freely in the forest, and the future solution involves implementing regulated hunting and compensation for damages, achieved through coordinated cooperation with the Environmental Board and the Ministry of Justice. Furthermore, a clear action plan will be developed.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras provided the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) with a comprehensive overview of the incident involving red deer illegally imported from Latvia, which caused damage to local farmers in Lääne-Viru County. He confirmed that the animals escaped due to the owner’s negligence, and consequently, the private individual who owns them, not the state, is responsible for the resulting damage. Agencies have collaborated to cull the animals and resolve the situation, and the ministry is currently developing new operational guidelines for similar complex cross-border cases.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the Minister and calls upon Martin Helme to ask his questions.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that the three hunting permits cause confusion because the organization of hunting quotas falls under the jurisdiction of another ministry, while the concerns and economic damage caused by nuisance animals, such as wolves and bears, ultimately remain under his purview.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme is raising the issue of issuing hunting permits for nuisance species (including wolves, bears, and animals that cause economic damage) and the subsequent management of related problems. He stresses that while the issuance of these permits falls under the purview of a different ministry, the burden of managing the damages and finding solutions rests with the ministry he is addressing. Consequently, he is seeking a resolution to this resulting jurisdictional discrepancy.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras acknowledges the damage caused to agriculture by the high population of wild animals (especially wolves and bears), noting that although the responsibility lies with the Ministry of Climate, they are working closely together to find a comprehensive solution for maintaining the natural balance and ensuring a rapid response to the problem that has arisen.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The report emphasizes that, in order to reduce the population of wild animals and the damage they cause, comprehensive cooperation between ministries must be established, natural balance must be ensured, and animals must remain in the forest without excessively interfering with human life, all of which requires a swift response.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Peeter Ernits to speak.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits is critical that the Facebook posts made by the former head of the Rakvere net and volleyball club—regarding the confusion between deer and beef cattle, along with the related connections established back in February and March—have only just now been made public, raising serious questions about how this delay was possible.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits expresses bewilderment over the case involving the head of the Rakvere volleyball club and beef cattle farmer, in which venison and beef were mixed into sausages. He asks why the authorities and the Virumaa Teataja newspaper only discovered this strange mess now, even though the deceased had publicly spoken about the deer on social media as early as February or March.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Terras stated that the information is available, an overview was provided of the operations currently underway, and although the person in question has left, the matter of the red deer remaining in the forest continues to be addressed.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras confirmed that although the exact time of discovery is unknown, a complete picture of the situation is available, an overview of previous activities has been provided, the issue of the individual's departure has also been resolved, and the red deer population is regulated through hunting.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a short request to invite Arvo Aller to speak.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
According to Arvo Aller, the inquiry accelerated the investigation, and he asks whether the three companies—two agricultural producers and one grower of young forests—were contacted regarding the compensation application, or if they submitted their own application for the deer damage to be compensated.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller noted with satisfaction that the inquiry had accelerated the investigation into the origin of the deer and the process of compensating for damages, but he wanted to know whether the three affected operators (farmers and a grower of young forest stands) were offered compensation directly or if they had to submit the application themselves.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The officials have been in contact with all the claimants and explained that the owner is responsible for damages caused by livestock, and the legal basis for their compensation is the owner's obligation.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, confirmed that officials are in contact with the affected parties and explained that, according to the legal basis, the owner of the animal is responsible for the damage caused by livestock and must pay the compensation, and this matter is currently being handled.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls Tiit Maran.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tiit Maran emphasizes that the case under discussion—which likely involves the puma—is not an isolated incident. Instead, it points to the broader issue of illegally releasing animals into the wild, citing as an example deer found with similar markings on Hiiumaa. He then inquires whether this broader topic has been discussed with the Environmental Board and the Ministry of Climate.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tiit Maran notes that the discovery of deer with the same yellow ear tag on Hiiumaa points to a broader context, and the question is how to prevent the release of illegal animals into the wild. He simultaneously asks whether this topic has been discussed with the Environmental Board and the Ministry of Climate.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, addressed the requirement for animal identification (chips for pets, tags for farm animals) and the owner's responsibility for releasing animals. However, he focused primarily on the suspected puma sightings—widespread across several counties but lacking official confirmation—promising that if the animal is captured and it turns out to be a puma, its origin will be determined.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Terras said that domestic animals should generally be microchipped, and the obligation for releasing the animals rests with the agricultural producer or the animal owner. The Hiiumaa incident is considered an exception, and should a puma be found, its origin will be determined more precisely.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech requests that Anti Poolamets be invited to speak.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets draws the minister’s attention to the fact that the restraint shown in limiting the wild boar and wolf populations has been the source of many problems, including the endangering of food security and the massive damages inflicted upon farmers, indicating that hiding behind the arguments of the green transition has prevented necessary and timely culling.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets points out that the lack of control over wild boar and wolf populations threatens food security and causes significant damage to farmers, and asks whether our restraint in limiting these populations has not been the source of our problems.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
To resolve the African Swine Fever crisis and ensure the long-term recovery of pork production, the key issue is maintaining control over the wild boar population in forested areas, and addressing the problem holistically within the context of ecological diversity and minimizing human and agricultural damage.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras emphasizes that although biosecurity is high on domestic pig farms, the uncontrolled wild boar population continues to spread African swine fever. Therefore, the crucial issue for restoring pork production is bringing the number of wild boars under control, which must, however, be approached comprehensively, taking into account the balance of the entire ecosystem and species diversity.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Mart Helme to the stage.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme pointed out that the issue is not only red deer, but also the large-scale movement of people and the introduction of exotic alien species, and due to cross-border movements, alien species can introduce diseases that require charting.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme is raising concerns about the dangers posed by both exotic invasive species introduced by humans and subsequently released into the wild (such as pumas and Spanish slugs), and ordinary wild animals that move across borders (wolves, moose). These dangers include the spread of diseases. He asks whether these problems have been systematically mapped and whether solutions are currently being found.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a word of thanks to you.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The presentation addresses the development of measures aimed at eliminating these problems.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme referred to the existing problems and inquired whether appropriate measures for their elimination are already being developed.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Terras stated that the fencing constructed along the Russian border restricts animal movement, and there is still unconfirmed data regarding the spread of alien species (such as the puma). To solve this problem, the Minister of the Environment must be involved, and cooperation with Latvian hunters on the Estonian-Latvian border should be established if necessary.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, responded to questions regarding animal movement and the spread of invasive species, noting that the Russian border fence partially restricts incursions, while the presence of the cougar remains uncertain, and slugs have spread via imports. He concluded by stressing the necessity of cooperating with Latvian hunters on the management of transboundary bear populations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme points out that while swine fever is spreading in Estonia, Finland has managed to avoid it thanks to very strict border controls and restrictions on food imports. She urges an analysis of what the Finns are doing right and what we could also improve upon.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme raises the question of why Finland, despite the swine fever raging in Estonia and having a similar border with Russia, has managed to keep the disease at bay, citing their strict border measures. She asks the minister to analyze Finland's successful practices in order to improve the situation in Estonia as well.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister Terras pointed out that the number of wild boars in Finland is very small due to the latitude, and their movement primarily originates in Latvia. He added that Estonia should likewise make a fundamental decision on whether to raise domestic pigs or wild boars, and implement measures accordingly.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Regional Affairs and Agriculture Minister Hendrik Johannes Terras explained that unlike Finland, where the wild boar population is low due to the unfavorable climate and strict control, Estonia offers favorable conditions for them. Consequently, they are migrating here from the south. He stressed that the Estonian state should follow Finland’s example and make a fundamental decision regarding the management and control of the wild boar population.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi concluded the questioning session, declared the discussions open, and subsequently gave the floor to Mart Helme, stressing at the same time that Helme was not representing the interpellators, as his name was absent from the corresponding list.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi gives thanks, opens the discussion, calls on Mart Helme, and explains that Mart Helme's name is not on the list of those who submitted the inquiry.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme noted that the red deer issue is merely a focus point, and the actual discussion encompasses invasive species more broadly—specifically, their potential establishment and the problems they cause in nature, along with debates concerning predators versus animal welfare, and concerns related to food security. Consequently, he requested additional time to deal with the interpellation.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme stressed that the red deer question is only a focal point for the wider issue of managing invasive species and predators, citing the raccoon dog as a pest and the puma as a potential threat. He believes that the unhealthy attitude of urbanized society toward nature creates conflicts between animal rights advocates and practical needs, requiring a broad discussion. Finally, he also touched upon African swine fever and the challenging agricultural situation of the current year.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The announcement states that three minutes will be added.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme called for the declaration of an emergency situation in agriculture and the development of swift financial support packages to mitigate the damages resulting from swine fever, in order to preserve food security and rural life, and to keep the Estonian village alive, because if the village disappears, the Estonian state will disappear too.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme is demanding that the Minister of Rural Affairs immediately declare an emergency situation in agriculture and develop financial support measures, arguing that African Swine Fever has drastically reduced Estonia's self-sufficiency in pork and seriously threatens rural employment and diversity. He stressed that funding must also be allocated to rural life, not just to the defense industry and Ukraine, because the vitality of the Estonian village is the foundation for the survival of the nation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
In the address, gratitude is expressed and a request is presented to Peeter Ernits.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits criticizes the Ministry of Rural Affairs' mismanagement and lack of knowledge regarding the movement of a large herd of red deer to Virumaa, emphasizing that the questions concerning the herd's origin and introduction are unknown, and the situation is potentially dangerous.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits is leveling sharp criticism at government agencies, particularly the Ministry of Rural Affairs, for their ignorance and sheer disorganization regarding a large herd of Latvian red deer that has been roaming Virumaa for months. He stresses that although information about the animals' origin and owner was available on social media as early as February, authorities failed to resolve the situation or even become aware of its existence, which points to a complete "bardak" (chaos) within the state administration.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the participants and concluded the debate, stating that the consideration of this agenda item has been exhausted.