Land protection means family separation
Temporary Law on Purchase of Agricultural Land overfilled with hard to understand restrictive provisions is only in force for seven weeks; however, it becomes clear that it is targeted not against land speculators but against people, who seriously wish to be engaged in farming.
President of the Lithuanian Chamber of Notaries Marius Stračkaitis explained what jungles legislators brought families engaged in farming to by stipulating a term of connected persons, where spouses are also included. As there is also a restriction stipulated in the law with regard to purchase of agricultural land – total possessed area cannot exceed 500 ha.
“The Civil Code regulates that if one of spouses acquires land not by inheritance or as a present and without any marriage contract, this property is considered to be a joint property. In other words, 2 ha purchased by a farmer are divided in half – 1 ha will belong to a wife”, M.Stračkaitis said.
This requirement can be circumvented by dissolving a marriage, starting to live separately or entering into a marriage contract. After that both will be able to purchase 500 ha each.
Restrictive provisions in the law are allegedly stipulated for foreign persons; however, they have more adverse effect on Lithuanians. According to data of the Centre of Registers, in May, after this temporary law came in force, 63% less agricultural land plots were sold than in April.
The National Land Service received 1117 applications for issue of permissions to purchase land from the 1st of May to the 13th of June. Among applicants there are no foreigners at all.
After check of applicants for purchase of land for compliance with law provisions 1028 permission were issued by the Service for the period specified.