The timber industry in Poland, a crucial pillar of the nation's economy, is facing a severe crisis due to restrictions on timber harvesting imposed by the Ministry of Climate and Environment. In an open letter sent to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, representatives from the Coalition for Polish Timber are calling for urgent action to safeguard the future of this vital sector.
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In 2022, the forestry and wood sector contributed significantly to Poland's GDP, accounting for 8.5%, employing nearly 350,000 people across around 40,000 enterprises, especially in underdeveloped regions. The industry is a leader in Europe, particularly in furniture manufacturing, wooden packaging, flooring, and paper products. However, the introduction of a timber harvesting moratorium in January 2024 has created significant challenges by reducing the availability of this essential raw material.
The two National Conferences on Forests organised by the Ministry failed to consider the input of scientists, naturalists, industry representatives, and local government officials, leaving out key stakeholders in discussions about forest management. No studies on the financial or social impacts of limiting timber harvesting have been carried out, highlighting a lack of comprehensive planning to mitigate the consequences.
Entrepreneurs argue that preserving biodiversity should not come at the expense of jobs and economic stability in rural communities, where many timber-related businesses are based. 'We support nature conservation, but the changes must be evolutionary and based on the opinions of scientists, foresters, and ecologists,' the letter states. 'The National Conference on Forests didn't meet this condition.'
The restrictions planned for 2025 could lead to a wood supply reduction of 3 million cubic metres. This could result in revenue losses for State Forests estimated at almost PLN 1 billion and losses for the timber industry of up to PLN 12 billion. The furniture sector alone is expected to experience a 6% decline in production and a 20% drop in profits, with net financial results down by nearly PLN 190 million compared to 2023. The profitability of furniture companies is projected to decrease from 6.4% to 5.2% in 2024.
Most companies in the timber sector are located in small towns and rural areas, where they often represent the main source of employment, frequently supporting entire families. The closure of over 200 companies this year in the furniture sector alone highlights the scale of job losses, leading to decreased contributions to the state budget through taxes.
Wood is not only a renewable and eco-friendly resource, but also essential for reducing CO2 emissions in construction. The EU directive requiring zero-emission new public buildings from 2028 and all other new buildings from 2030 can only be met through the use of wood. The restrictions imposed by the Ministry are in direct conflict with these goals.
In their appeal to the Prime Minister, the entrepreneurs stress the need for a reassessment of the current forestry policies, arguing that limiting access to timber will not only decimate the timber industry but also harm Poland's broader economic interests. 'Can we afford to lose such significant state budget revenues and incur increased social welfare expenses for those losing jobs?' they ask.
This letter is a call for decisive action to protect jobs, preserve economic stability, and ensure the timber industry continues to thrive, contributing to Poland's economic growth and sustainability.
Source: www.oigpm.org.pl