Germans looking for a bit-o-that lebensraum and communist China looking to diversify away from the U.S. and eventually Brazil, seem pleased.
But enough of that, here's the headline story from PoAndPo Agrifish, July 22:
About 15-16 % of agricultural land in Latvia belong to foreigners, Martins Trons of the Latvian faming association Zemnieku Saeima (Farmers’ Assembly), said at the meeting of the parliamentary committee.
The parliamentary committee on mandates, ethics and submissions discussed the collective legislative initiative for banning sale of agricultural land and forests to foreigners.
Trons said the existing eligibility criteria for buyers of agricultural land were too lax and should be tightened. He said that in France, for example, any land sales were scrutinized by a municipal committee and it was nearly impossible for foreigners to buy any land.
Representatives from the Agriculture Ministry and Economics Ministry said they did not support the initiative to prohibit selling land to foreigners, as Latvia must observe its international commitments.
MP Gunars Kutris (For Latvia From The Heart) suggested that the local governments should have the right of first refusal in respect of agricultural land that is up for sale so that they could buy land at the same price for which it otherwise would be sold to a foreign national....MUCH MORE
