Poland expressed skepticism toward a plan to bring non-timber forest products under EU regulation. These products include venison, edible mushrooms, forest fruits, and honey, as explained by Poland’s Ministry of Climate and Environment to PAP News Agency.
The Spanish Presidency of the European Union proposed that non-timber forest products, such as venison, mushrooms, truffles, nuts, acorns, resins, and berries, should fall under EU regulatory rules. The issue was discussed in July within a working group of the EU Council on Forestry.
Spanish initiative
The Ministry of Climate and Environment told PAP that the Spanish presidency circulated a working document and led a discussion on the proposal during the EU Council Working Group on Forestry on 11 July 2023.
Poland has opposed the initiative. Further steps on the matter have not been clearly defined by either the presidency or the European Commission, according to the ministry.
The ministry explained that the Spanish plan would aim to remove barriers to growing the non-timber forest products sector, ensure compliance with food safety and chemical safety standards, improve the traceability of wild food products, align the common agricultural policy with stronger protection and development of the sector, and support the creation of other EU programs to assist the sector.
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Polish opposition
As previously reported, besides Poland, Austria, Lithuania, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Sweden showed skepticism toward Spain’s proposal. Portugal, Italy, and Greece offered positive opinions, highlighting the importance of resin, mushrooms (including truffles for Italy), honey, and the need for co-financing the sector through EU funds such as the Common Agricultural Policy. Belgium expressed interest because of hunting and berries.
During the July meeting, Poland argued that more pressing forest-related issues should be addressed at Brussels, including monitoring and the operations of the Standing Forestry Committee. According to PAP, Poland also indicated there were no legal gaps in the treatment of non-timber forest products and that current national solutions were sufficient. In Warsaw’s view, there was no necessity to draft new legislative proposals.
Poland also stressed that harvesting undergrowth for personal use forms part of tradition and that forests should serve society. It noted that hunting culture is a special facet of Poland’s heritage and a key element of the community identity of hunters and their families, with knowledge and skills passed down through generations.
Some EU diplomats viewed the Spaniards’ move as a probe into how member states would receive a broader regulatory approach. There were voices suggesting the matter could be taken up at the EU agriculture ministers’ meeting, with a potential initiative from the European Commission.
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Mon/PAP
In all, the discussions reflect a broader debate about how non-timber forest products should be governed at the union level, balanced against national traditions and forest management practices. The stance taken by Poland underscores a preference for preserving national approaches to safeguarding forest resources and cultural practices, while still engaging with EU-wide strategies that aim to support the sector through potential funding, harmonized safety standards, and enhanced traceability for consumers in both Poland and its European partners.