The forest moratorium debate resurfaces as public consultations reveal strong opposition among forest rangers. In surveys conducted with the State Forests, roughly nine in ten rangers opposed the Ministry of Climate and Environment’s proposed changes to sustainable forest management. In parliamentary sessions, Deputy Minister Mikołaj Dorożała asserted that the ministry’s proposals were criticized for political reasons rather than technical merit. Paweł Sałek, a PiS MP and former deputy environment minister, commented on X that the consultation group did not reflect a broad consensus, contradicting the minister’s portrayal.
During the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Protection, Natural Resources and Forestry, Deputy Minister Mikołaj Dorozala spoke about the results of public consultations commissioned by the ministry and carried out by the State Forests to remove certain areas from sustainable forest management.
READ MORE: Crushing results from public consultations on the moratorium. 90 percent forest rangers are against it. Paweł Sałek: It couldn’t be simpler
Bizarre accusations
The deputy head of the Ministry of Environmental Protection argued that foresters broadly opposed the changes proposed by the ministry. A politician from Szymon Hołownia’s party suggested it amounted to a denial of the idea of consultation.
We observed a denial of the idea of consultation. The other side has also raised this issue multiple times, claiming that comments were sent in bulk and that some organizations funded by foreign sources were behind them. Yet when the situation is viewed from the opposite angle, there is no problem. There were hundreds, even thousands, of emails and petitions with very similar wording. They appeared coordinated and monitored, and many felt they had little to do with genuine public consultation, which should address the precise question posed in the detailed letter dated November 11.
– Dorożała thundered at the committee.
This consultation was necessary because it exposed the extent of the manipulation involved. How can Poland speak today about social dialogue on an issue affecting local communities if it is used for political purposes?
– added the angry deputy minister.
Democracy hurts…
Dorożała argued that the opposition would push experts and public opinion to oppose the forest moratorium. He accused the governing party of adopting political tactics in the process.
It was not a referendum. The aim was to assist specific entrepreneurs, and critics claimed otherwise, alleging that the government sought to finish Polish forests, privatize them, or sell resources abroad. That was not the intention, he insisted.
– he pointed out.
Paweł Sałek, a PiS MP and former deputy environment minister, commented on social media about Dorozala’s remarks in the parliamentary committee on environmental protection, natural resources and forestry. He noted that the deputy head of the environmental ministry denied that all government proposals would be well received by everyone.
Denial of the idea of consultation? Identical sounding conclusions? Minister Dorozala therefore denies that the group of people taking part in the moratorium consultation is very unanimous. He urged viewers to watch this short recording and draw their own reflections
– wrote Paweł Sałek on X.
Donald Tusk’s controversial words clearly inspired members of his government, as Dorozala echoed the Prime Minister’s rhetoric, applying the democratic rules as he understands them.
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— Disastrous consequences of the forest moratorium! Significant decrease in harvested wood. Buda: Raw materials are becoming more expensive, foresters are out of work. This is self-ploughing
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