The EU Forestry Strategy poses a threat to the future of Polish forests and economy. Climate protection is the utmost priority but we cannot kill the patient with therapy. That is why we must work out a compromise that will consider the interests of the countries of high afforestation rate such as Poland

– stressed Vice-Minister for Climate and Environment, Edward Siarka.

The Forestry Strategy published by the European Parliament on 16 July 2021 assumes acceleration in achieving the climate objectives – carbon reduction in air. This objective is to be achieved by significant reduction of wood acquisition at the area of the European Union – strict protection will cover 10% of lands.

For Poland, in which the forest areas cover one third of the country – which makes us one of the European leaders – implementation of the EU strategy would imply exclusion of more than 3 million ha of forests from the forestry management. This in turn would have led to rapid reduction of wood supplies on the market by half, bankruptcy of thousands of companies and surge in prices of wooden products. The experts have no doubts that development of the Polish economy would be hindered. Implementation of the strategy translates also into strongly limited access to the woods and exploitation of forest undergrowth.

The new EU Forestry Strategy was entirely subordinated to achievement of climate objectives and assumes departure from multi-functionality of the forests, including in particular at the expense of economic activity

– added the Vice-Minister. 

He also pointed out at numerous contradictions in the Strategy itself.

There can be no reconcilement between increasing the area of old-growth forests with increased carbon sequestration, since old trees become the CO2 emitters rather than absorbents

– stressed Edward Siarka.

In the opinion of the Vice-Minister, who submitted his comments to the Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski, the EU document fails to address the existing challenges in the area of forestry and to meet the expectations of the countries of high afforestation rate. That is why the discussions with the EU and finding compromise are necessary.

The forestry strategy is another document, which impinges the competences of the Member States in defiance of the EC treaties. No one challenges the need to protect climate, but any and all decisions on the forests should consider their individual natures resulting from local environmental and biogeographical conditions of individual countries. The basis for cooperation between the Polish and European institutions is dialogue. I believe that we will manage to find a consensus

– pointed out Vice-Minister Siarka.