EC official on Bialowieza Forest
The European Commission would be glad if Poland withdrew from its plans to increase logging in Bialowieza Forest (north-eastern Poland), Humberto Delgado Rosa of the EC Directorate-General for Environment has told PAP.
The Bialowieza Forest is a protected area being part of the Natura 2000 network. The EC has charged Poland with violating some of the regulations of the EU's Habitats Directive (directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora) and Birds Directive (directive on the conservation of wild birds), both being key to the EU's Natura 2000 programme.
In mid-June the EC launched proceedings against Poland's decision to increase logging approved by Poland in a bid to combat a beetle infestation despite protests from scientists, ecologists and the European Union.
"Well, we were disappointed with the decision to change the forest management plan in Bialowieza and increase the logging. That plus a complaint from Polish NGOs was what launched the pilot which is an inquiry. After that we also had a fact-finding mission to Bialowieza on June 8 and 9, following which we've decided to open an infringement procedure which was launched on June 16. And we are now waiting for the reply of the Polish government that should come in one month, after which we will consider any further action," the EC official has told PAP.
Humberto Delgado Rosa came to Poland to attend a premiere of Seasons, a nature documentary shot, among other locations, in the Bialowieza and Biebrzanski National Parks. (PAP)
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