The exchange began with a blunt remark from Zbigniew Ziobro, the Polish Minister of Justice, who commented on social survey results reported by the wPolityce.pl portal. He suggested that the stance of the opposition toward Poland’s forests faces a difficult barrier because some want to place Polish forests under Brussels control.
Poles defend Polish forests
In the survey, a significant majority—about 77 percent—opined that Poland should retain authority over the country’s state forests. Ten percent believed governance should be shifted to the European Union, and thirteen percent were unsure or chose not to answer. The question asked was who should be in charge of Poland’s state forests, and these were the resulting shares. The study was conducted via an online method that involved a nationwide sample sized to reflect gender, age, and the urban-rural distribution of the population. The poll took place over several days in late January of the year indicated by the study era, with more than a thousand participants contributing to the results. The headline takeaway echoed a clear preference for national stewardship of Poland’s forests, a stance that resonated with many readers who value local control over natural resources.
READ MORE: OUR RESEARCH. More than three-quarters of Poles in defense of Polish forests. There has been discussion in the European Parliament about adjusting forest management authority, potentially moving certain powers away from national governments to shared European competencies.
The European Parliament’s Environment Committee discussed proposed amendments to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The committee favored changes that would shift some forest management responsibilities away from individual member states toward shared EU competence. Observers noted that such a shift would require treaty revisions and agreement from all member states before it could take effect. These points were reported by the same portal that published the original survey results. The discussion highlighted a broader debate about how forests are governed within the union and who ultimately holds decision-making power over forest policy.
As presented in the coverage, the possibility of a Brussels takeover would necessitate unanimous consent from all EU members to amend the treaties. The report emphasized that any such change would hinge on formal treaty amendments and broad political consensus across diverse national contexts. The study’s authors explained that the proposed realignment of competences would mark a fundamental shift in how forest resources are managed across the bloc.
The CAWI method, or computer-assisted web interviewing, was used to collect responses. The fieldwork occurred over several days, engaging a nationwide audience to ensure representativeness by gender, age, and residence type. This approach aimed to capture a broad spectrum of public opinion on a topic with lasting implications for Poland’s natural heritage and policy direction. The research thus offers a snapshot of public sentiment at a moment when environmental policy and governance at the supranational level are hotly debated across Europe. The data, while informative, is one part of a larger conversation about how best to balance national sovereignty with regional cooperation in forest management.
“We will protect Polish forests!”
The minister marked the study’s findings on social media, reiterating a commitment to defend Poland’s forest assets. His remarks framed the issue as a clash between national interests and external influence, portraying opponents as promoting costly or impractical policies. The tone suggested a rallying call to supporters who favor keeping Poland’s forests under domestic oversight and management. The broader political discourse surrounding these forest policies reflects ongoing tensions between national autonomy and European integration, a dynamic that continues to shape public debate and policy considerations.
This coverage reflects the competing narratives about forest governance, public sentiment, and the strategic choices facing Poland and its partners within the European framework. It underscores the importance of clear policy communication, transparent research practices, and careful consideration of how proposed EU reforms could affect national resources, local communities, and environmental stewardship.
citation: wPolityce