Polish Forests at the Center of a National Debate
A social committee has been formed to advocate for a landmark petition aimed at protecting Poland’s forests. The move was announced on Saturday in Zamość by Deputy Justice Minister Marcin Romanowski, who represents Solidarity Poland. The goal is to gather 100,000 signatures in support of the cause.
Earlier this year, the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety issued a positive opinion on a treaty amendment. The change would shift forestry from a national responsibility to a shared competence between the European Union and its member states. Amendments require unanimous approval from all EU members.
Goal – 100,000 Signatures
During a Saturday press briefing in Zamość, Deputy Minister Romanowski announced the start of a civic legislative initiative to defend Poland’s forests. He stated the committee was tasked with collecting 100,000 signatures to prevent changes that could alter how forests are managed in Poland.
Romanowski emphasized that the project seeks to safeguard what he calls Poland’s most important heritage, the country’s forests. He noted that the signature collection is visible across social media, in many communities, and among forest rangers.
According to the deputy minister, transferring forestry to a shared EU-national competency would mean that major decisions about Polish forests would no longer be made solely in Warsaw. The practical implication, he argued, is less local control over forest management and access for Polish citizens.
State Forests stand out as a central national asset, with significance for the economy and for forest management practices. A deputy head of the Ministry of Finance pointed out that three percent of forests are directly linked to the economy through forest-related activities, with eight percent connected indirectly to GDP.
Poland is noted for strong wood and forest products sectors. In furniture production, the country ranks among the top nations worldwide. There is concern that external pressures could aim to liquidate this sector and hand market control to foreign groups, a scenario reminiscent of economic shifts seen in the 1990s.
The Importance of State Forests
State Forests are described as the largest ecological organization in Poland and in Europe. Romanowski highlighted their role and suggested Polish forests operate with a prudent economic approach to timber harvesting.
Proposals under discussion include allocating significant portions of member state territory for forest use. In Poland, such measures would directly affect residents by limiting opportunities for activities like walking, mushroom picking, and berry gathering in forest areas.
The ministerial view is that forests represent a crucial natural heritage and call for broad public support. Romanowski encouraged residents to engage in a tree-planting effort tied to the state forests program We Plant Together. In Zamość, a campaign on the Main Market Square aimed to distribute thousands of tree seedlings to the public, with forest rangers helping hand them out to attendees during the weekend event.
Overall, the discourse centers on balancing forest protection with sustainable economic use while preserving public access and enjoyment of forest resources. The exchanges reflect a broader conversation about national sovereignty in forest policy and the role of European considerations in shaping how Poland manages its wooded landscape.
gah/PAP
Source: wPolityce