The Polish Government Supports Transparent Odra Crisis Efforts
The Polish government continues to pursue full transparency in its response to the Oder crisis. Ongoing investigations into the causes are being shared with the public, according to a statement from Anna Moskwa, the Minister of Climate and Environment, in a letter addressed to German officials.
Public caution and concern were highlighted as a German colleague warned of potential ecological damage. The Ministry of Climate and Environment released the letter on a Wednesday evening, noting that Minister Moskwa’s correspondence to Steffi Lemke, the German Minister of the Environment, and Cem Özdemir, the German Minister of Agriculture and Food Policy, also referenced remarks by Prof. Justyna Wołynska of the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB).
In the letter, Prof. Wołynska is quoted in connection with the institute’s investigation into the Odra poisoning and its search for the root causes. The message also notes that the report will be published in Polish to address concerns from parts of society and non-governmental organizations that question information from state media in Poland, as stated in the correspondence signed by the Polish minister.
Polish Government’s Open Approach
The head of the climate ministry expressed surprise at these comments, emphasizing the Polish government’s commitment to an as-transparent-as-possible response to the Odra crisis. The Polish Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection has been regularly sampling water at multiple stations along the Oder, with results made publicly available. Institutions from both the state sector and civil society are actively collaborating to identify the crisis’s source.
Minister Moskwa underscored these efforts in conversations with Germany’s environment and agriculture ministers. She conveyed disappointment that a representative from a German government-funded research body would make such a remark and noted that the IGB may be influenced by supervisory bodies within the ministries led by Lemke and Özdemir.
She called for clarification on whether Prof. Wołynska’s statement should be treated as an official position of the German government. The inquiry was framed as a request for transparency and accountability in cross-border environmental matters. The exchange reflects a broader aim to align scientific assessments with governmental positions and to reassure the public about ongoing investigations and forthcoming findings.
Communication from official channels continues to stress that routine sampling, data sharing, and collaborative research are integral to addressing the Odra situation. The dialogue between Poland and Germany in climate and environmental affairs illustrates the practical use of scientific input to inform policy. The overarching goal remains to identify the source of contamination, understand its dynamics, and implement measures to prevent future occurrences while keeping communities informed along the way. These efforts are presented as part of a sustained commitment to environmental stewardship and cross-border cooperation in the face of this regional challenge.
– mly / PAP
Source: wPolityce