The European Parliament’s Environment Committee moved on Tuesday to back amendments to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union that would shift forest oversight from national governments to shared EU competence. In practical terms, this would mean the management of vast forested areas could be coordinated at the Brussels level, rather than left solely to member states. Polish officials, including climate and environmental leaders, criticized the plan as a fundamental misread of the country’s landscape and economic realities. They argue that Polish forests — which cover roughly one third of the country’s land area — are a cornerstone of national identity, rural livelihoods, and local governance. The concern is that placing forest management under EU control would complicate decisions about timber, conservation, and regional development that are currently driven by local needs and conditions. The commentary from Polish officials emphasized that the current approach respects Poland’s sovereignty and recognises the unique ecological and economic conditions within the country. The debate reveals a deeper tension between EU-level policy ambitions and member states’ desire to retain authority over natural resources that are so closely tied to local communities and economies.
