Agenda Profile: Mart Helme
Interpellation regarding the state's plan to end compensation to farmers for damages caused by geese (No. 582)
2024-09-09
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position strongly opposes the government's plan to terminate compensation for farmers' losses, arguing that the proposed preventative measures are practically unfeasible and ineffective. This stance is results-oriented, focusing on protecting the agricultural sector and guaranteeing the national production of grain products. The speaker stresses the crucial role of grain products as the staple diet for the Estonian population.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates local and practical knowledge regarding the management of agricultural lands, referencing the problem of 2,000 hectares of arable land and the scattering of plots. They possess authority concerning the scope and seasonal patterns of bird migration in the Matsalu Bay area. The expertise is based on personal observation and practical constraints, not technical data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker’s rhetorical style is highly combative and ironic, characterizing the minister’s explanations as "simply vibrating the air." Personal experience (living by Matsalu Bay) and specific examples (the 2000-hectare cooperative) are used to support the arguments. Strong sarcasm is employed to highlight the absurdity of the policy, offering the installation of wind turbines along bird migration routes as a solution.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Data is scarce.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary criticism is aimed at the minister and the government's policy regarding the prevention of damage caused by geese, which critics deem unrealistic and impractical. The criticism is policy-driven, focusing on the failure of prevention methods to work effectively on large, sprawling farmlands. Opposition to the current plan is intense and uncompromising.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Data is scarce.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The speaker maintains a strong regional focus, highlighting issues specific to the Läänemaa and Matsalu Bay region, which is where he lives and observes the flocks of birds. The focus is also directed towards the challenges faced by local agricultural cooperatives (specifically those in the former Martna municipality area) in managing extensive cultivated lands.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic positions emphasize the importance of grain production and the protection of agriculture, prioritizing food security. [The policy] supports safeguarding farmers' interests and compensating them for damages, while opposing ineffective regulatory requirements (preventative measures).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Data is scarce.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus centers on challenging the government's policy to end compensation payments for damages caused by wildfowl (geese). The speaker is a staunch opponent of this proposed policy shift—which affects the balance between agriculture and nature conservation—in the context of the parliamentary inquiry that has been initiated.
1 Speeches Analyzed