The Latvian Ministry of Agriculture (ZM) has declared that establishing a state-funded 24-hour emergency veterinary assistance system is impractical within the current financial framework. This statement was made in response to public initiatives calling for the implementation of such a system in Latvia through the civil initiative platform 'Manabalss.lv'. The ministry emphasized that due to budgetary constraints faced by all state institutions, there are insufficient resources to fund new public services without compromising other areas of the budget.

ZM provided further explanations, stating that the responsibility for animal care, which includes feeding, grooming, and medical treatment such as emergency veterinary services, lies with the pet owners. Introducing a new permanent state function would either require reallocating funds from other sectors or finding additional revenue, neither of which seems possible at this time. Thus, the establishment of a national-level emergency veterinary assistance system remains financially unviable.

The Ministry's position highlights the broader implications of public service funding in Latvia amidst tightening fiscal policies. As the government focuses on budget consolidation, the question arises whether essential services like veterinary care can be effectively managed by pet owners, or if alternative solutions need to be explored to support animal welfare without imposing further financial burdens on the state budget.