There is a problem growing in Latvia caused by invasive specie - Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden negative influence to ecosystem. This plant from cultivated areas has extended to natural biotopes and the process has gone out of men’s control.
Latvia has confirmed Convention on Biological Diversity Rio de Janeiro from 5th of June 1992 wherewith the State have to undertake the obligations mentioned in clause 8, point h): “Prevent the introduction of invasive alien species and control or eradicate alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species.” These liabilities are introduced in national program of Biological Diversity.
The first step to comprehensive solution of this problem is already developed National program of Heracleum sosnowskyi distribution’s elimination and prepared amendments of the Plant protection law.
But before practical inception of Heracleum sosnowskyi distribution’s elimination the system of realization have to be developed. There is a need to gather information about invaded areas, to harmonize legislation and to summarize previous scientific experience about elimination of Heracleum sosnowskyi in Latvia. It is important to introduce the interests of environment protection in all planned elimination activities, to ensure respect to them during further abatement process of Heracleum sosnowskyi. The character and locality of the area has to be respected while selecting the methods of abatement.
For example, chemical abatement is restricted in environment protection areas, what substantially raises costs of the abatement. So there will be special methodological approach, in order restrict the choice of the cheapest chaises, what can be harmful for the environment.

THE AIM OF THE PROJECT
To ensure introduction of environment protection interests in development and realization process of distribution’s elimination system of Heracleum sosnowskyi by preparing the recommendations of Heracleum sosnowskyi distribution’s elimination and providing scientific monitoring during this process.

THE TASKS OF THE PROJECT AND THEIR REALIZATION
The project sees beyond:
- To summarize Heracleum sosnowskyi distribution’s elimination experience and practice;
- To prepare scientifically based recommendations of Heracleum sosnowskyi distribution’s elimination on farmlands and areas with certain environmental restrictions;
- To provide the necessary scientific Expert Council’s activity, to provide participation in elaboration of Heracleum sosnowskyi distribution’s determination methods and analysis of acquired data, to work out concept of Heracleum sosnowskyi data base, etc.;
- To introduce suggestions into the legislation.

To provide the realization of mentioned tasks, it’s necessary:
- To develop consultative expert council, where scientists and practical workers will work together;
- To provide the activities of Expert council;
- To involve experts in order to prepare scientific recommendations;
- To provide mutual coordination of actions between institutions of environment protection.

The realization of the project is planned since 15 of March to 15 of December 2006.

Project is co-financed by Latvian Environment protection fund.
Project Manager: Inese Kukle, phone. 7503544
e-mail: inese.kukle@videsprojekti.lv