Poland was critical of the proposal to include EU regulation on issues related to so-called non-timber forest products, such as venison, mushrooms, forest fruits and honey, the Ministry of Climate and Environment told PAP.
The Spanish Presidency of the European Union proposed that so-called non-timber forest products (e.g. venison, mushrooms, truffles, nuts, acorns, resin, berries) should be subject to EU regulation, and the issue was discussed in July in a working group in the EU Council.
Spanish initiative
The Ministry of Climate and Environment informed PAP that the Spanish Presidency presented a working document (non-paper) on the initiative and held a discussion on it at the meeting of the EU Council Working Group on Forestry on 11 July 2023.
Poland has been critical of the initiative in question. Further possible work on this subject has not been clearly defined by either the Presidency or the European Commission
said the ministry.
The Ministry of Culture and Environment explained that, in light of the document presented, the Spanish initiative would aim at removing barriers to the development of the non-timber forest products sector, supporting compliance with food safety and chemical safety regulations, improving the traceability of “wild” food products, adapting the common agricultural policy to greater protection and development of the non-timber forest products sector and would aim at developing other EU programs to support the sector.
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Polish opposition
As previously reported by PAP, apart from Poland, Austria, Lithuania, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Sweden were skeptical of Spain’s proposal. Portugal, Italy and Greece have issued a positive opinion pointing to the importance of products such as resin, mushrooms (truffles important for Italy), honey and the needs of co-financing the sector from public funds, e.g. the Common Agricultural Fund of the EU. Policy. Belgium is interested in the initiative because of hunting and berries.
At the July meeting, Poland would argue that there are more important issues related to forests that should be dealt with by Brussels, including their monitoring and decision on the functioning of the Standing Forestry Committee. According to PAP information, Poland also indicated that it did not see any legal loopholes regarding non-timber forest products, and that existing national solutions were sufficient. According to Warsaw, there is therefore no need to make new legislative proposals.
Poland would also emphasize at the meeting that harvesting undergrowth for personal use is part of the tradition and that forests should serve society. She pointed out that hunting culture is a special part of Poland’s and World Heritage and is a factor in the community identity of hunters and their families, where passion, experience and knowledge are passed down from generation to generation.
Some EU diplomats saw the move by the Spaniards as an inquiry into the reception among member states of the proposal to introduce new regulations. There are voices among diplomats that it is possible that the matter will go to the EU meeting of agriculture ministers and that the European Commission could take the initiative in this matter.
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Mon/PAP
Source: wPolityce