The Coalition for Polish Timber has issued an open letter to Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, Mikołaj Dorożała, expressing grave concerns over what they perceive as a disregard for the interests of entrepreneurs and local communities. The coalition accuses the ministry of neglecting its promises to address issues affecting the timber industry and ignoring the voices of stakeholders.
Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, Mikołaj Dorożała. Photo: Website of the Republic of Poland.
At the forefront of their grievances is the burning of full-value timber in energy plants, which the coalition believes should be curtailed. They also call for concrete measures to reduce the export of raw timber, which they claim undermines local businesses. The letter criticises the ministry for actions that allegedly threaten the timber sector, a crucial component of Poland's economy. Furthermore, they question how these decisions align with the values of Poland 2050, the political movement led by Szymon Hołownia, which champions local development.
The coalition contends that dialogue with the timber industry has been superficial. They allege exclusion from meaningful participation in forums such as the National Conference on Forests, where industry representatives had limited involvement and decision-making transparency was lacking. They highlight the exclusion of vast forested areas from economical use, which, in their view, harms local industries reliant on timber supplies and negatively impacts communities.
The letter also criticises the ministry's draft regulation on energy wood. While initially promising, the coalition claims it prioritised forest management restrictions over protecting the timber industry. They argue that attempts to limit the burning of by-products like chips and offcuts were insufficient, and they stress the irreplaceable role of round wood for key industries, including sawmills and flooring manufacturers.
On the issue of timber exports, the coalition asserts that the ministry's changes to sales regulations have been ineffective in curbing the export of raw materials. They maintain that without robust measures, domestic companies will continue to struggle to secure the resources necessary for their operations, threatening jobs and economic stability.
The letter concludes with pointed questions for the minister, challenging him to clarify whose interests are being served by these policies and whether they reflect his party's stated commitment to local economic empowerment. The coalition reaffirms its willingness to engage in genuine dialogue, but emphasises that this requires transparency and substantive action rather than what they describe as superficial measures.
By addressing these concerns, the coalition hopes to prevent further harm to an industry they view as vital to the country's economic fabric and to ensure the ministry prioritises sustainable solutions that support both local businesses and communities.
Source: biznes.meble.pl