During 1995-1996 Rothamsted suction trap catches of aphids have been carried out in Latvia. Two suction traps are located in Cesis and Saldus - territorially two opposite sites of Latvia. It is the first time when suction traps are used in Latvia. The obtained data have been compared with similar catches in Sweden as well as with yellow water trap catches at Jelgava (Latvia). The dynamics of relatively important aphid species as vectors of plant viruses have been investigated. The investigation results show the most harmful species to cereals and potatoes.

In the field of soil science different methods of soil analysis are adopted in various countries. Therefore compatibility studies of soil test methods used in Latvia and other countries, especially those internationally accepted, are topical. For the experiment 37 top layer soil samples were taken from agricultural land in Latvia: Brown lessive soil (Stagnic Luvisol), silt loam, pH KCL 6.6-7.2, Peterlauki; Sod-gleysolic soil (Mollic Gleysol), fine sand, pH KCL 6.7-6.8, Lapukrogs; Brown soil (Luvisol), loamy sand, pH KCL 4.7-6.6, Kronauce. The soil tests were simultaneously done at the Latvia University of Agriculture (in cooperation with Dr. G. Mezals) and at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (in cooperation with Prof. J. Persson and Dr. E. Otabbong) using conventional methods and procedures for Latvia and Sweden. With some approximation it is possible to compare soil test data obtained by methods used in Latvia with those used in Sweden.

The implementation of privatization programs in Latvia resulted in privatization of some forest estates and wood processing enterprises. This increased the amount of wood and processed timber, especially for export. One of such products is particleboard. The given paper provides a general overview of particleboard marketing strategies in Latvia. The following alternatives of the strategic decision are pointed out: product strategy, customer strategy and market area strategy. Particleboard production in Latvia is described. Problems to be solved for successful parcelboard production are defined. Marketing channel alternatives are analysed.

The implementation of privatization programs in Latvia resulted in privatization of some forest estates and wood processing enterprises. This increased the amount of wood and processed timber, especially for export. One of such products is particleboard. The given paper provides a general overview of particleboard marketing strategies in Latvia. The following alternatives of the strategic decision are pointed out: product strategy, customer strategy and market area strategy. Particleboard production in Latvia is described. Problems to be solved for successful parcelboard production are defined. Marketing channel alternatives are analysed

As the grain produced for processing must correspond to the State Purchasing Standards, the problem of closer contacts and cooperation between farmers and grain processing enterprises is discussed. Importance to choose perspective winter wheat varieties is explained. The winter wheat varieties already grown in Latvia are described. Two new winter wheat varieties developed in Latvia (Banga and Otto) as well as several Swedish, Russian, German and Polish varieties are being tested at the Plant Varieties Testing Stations to determine their suitability and profitability in Latvia and to recommend them to local farmers.

As the grain produced for processing must correspond to the State Purchasing Standards, the problem of closer contacts and cooperation between farmers and grain processing enterprises is discussed. Importance to choose perspective winter wheat varieties is explained. The winter wheat varieties already grown in Latvia are described. Two new winter wheat varieties developed in Latvia (Banga and Otto) as well as several Swedish, Russian, German and Polish varieties are being tested at the Plant Varieties Testing Stations to determine their suitability and profitability in Latvia and to recommend them to local farmers.

Horse meat was examined at the Faculty of veterinary Medicine in 1996 in order to find out the epizootic situation in Latvia and more information about trichinosis in the horse. Trichinella was not diagnosed in the horses raised in Latvia.

In the given paper the rabies morbidity in animals in the last 7 years (1990-1997) is analysed in the framework of the monitoring and control program, as well as threat to public health and results of control measures are evaluated. Proposals are made on the development of rabies surveillance and control. Authors used the data of the State Veterinary Department, legislavite acts, the register of the Central Veterinary Laboratory and the materials of cooperation with the National Environmental Health Centre, statistics on wild animals, hunting activities and the materials of international conferences and seminars.

As in Latvia the salmonelosis of fowls is widely spread the infection of people through the consumption of infected food products (mainly eggs) is increasing. For that reason the prophylactic measures against the disease are of a great importance. The research on the spread of salmonelosis in Latvia and the profilactic measure for its successful control was carried out in the period of 1992-1996. Statistical data were taken from the Latvia Veterinary Department, The National Environmental Protection Centre, from different poultry farms and markets. Clinical, bacteriological, serological, pathological and anatomical examinations of hens were carried out. As the result of the research the situation with salmonelosis in the country has been characterized as chronical outbreaks of the disease.

The author discusses the problems of land tax assessment as well as tries to find their solution. The tradition of land appraisal and tax assessment of real estates is very old in Latvia. An overview of the following three modern land appraisal and tax assessment systems characteristic to Latvia in this century is presented: the Vidzeme cadastre of 1901, the Latvia cadastre of 1931, and the land appraisal system of the Soviet period. Problems are pointed out and some proposals are made for the improvement of the system considering the changes taking place in the country due to the implementation of the land reform, the establishment of individual private farms and the reorganization of agriculture according the principles of the market conditions.