HS Environment Minister of the Environment Emma Kari: Consideration should be given to freezing Metsähallitus’ fellings for a limited period

Policy|HS Environment

Environmental and Minister of Climate Change Emma Karin (green) believes that Metsähallitus’ controversial felling should be considered until a common view of the felling sites can be established.

The Natural Forest Working Group, funded by the Kone Foundation, has so far found 135,000 hectares of state-owned forests in state forests that the working group’s nature surveyors say should be protected. In state forests, Metsähallitus’ company Metsätalous Oy is responsible for commercial forests.

“When there are different views on the natural values ​​of commercial forests, it might be in place to calm this situation. Everyone must be able to trust that valuable natural sites are protected, ”Kari tells HS.

Nature conservation biologist Panu Halme said on Thursday at HSthat “Metsähallitus does not know how to do protection properly”.

Minister Kari’s proposal is that the disputed areas be reviewed together with the surveyors of Metsähallitus and the Natural Forest Working Group, as well as representatives of research institutes, for example. “For the duration of this work, logging would be best calmed down,” he notes.

“These are common forests for all Finns, and Finns must be able to trust that our common nature is taken care of.”

Finland is promised to stop the loss of nature. The promise is also recorded in the government’s program, in the form of “halting the loss of biodiversity in Finland”.

In addition, as part of the EU’s biodiversity strategy, Finland has promised to protect all old and all natural forests. Definitions for such forests are currently being developed in working groups. They are due to graduate this year.

“This is a very significant year for nature loss. Calming the situation would be essential now, ”says Kari.

During the work of the working groups considering forest definitions, Metsähallitus’ logging continues normally.

President of Metsähallitus Metsätalous Oy Jussi Kumpula said earlier In an interview with HS thus: “It is then a political decision if logging is therefore to be put on ice. We can’t do it ourselves. ”

Kari understands this. He also believes that more political debate is needed now.

Prime minister Sanna Marinin (sd) The Board’s Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy approved Metsähallitus ownership policies less than two years ago. According to Kari, there is no need to change it, as the policy emphasizes biodiversity.

“The policy is part of the work to stop the loss of nature in the forests. In other words, I think there is political support for this consideration of nature. ”

On the forest side, Kari itself owns national parks and other nature reserves. Commercial forests, on the other hand, belong to the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry To Jari Lepä (middle).

HS asked Lepa earlier, whether Metsähallitus’ logging should be placed on ice or otherwise interrupted until valuable forest sites have been identified. He saw no need for intervention. “This is not a place to blink,” Lepp said.

So where does the additional political guidance come from if Minister Leppä does not see the need for it?

“Yes, this is a place for inter-ministerial discussion. Lepa and I have a good discussion and these things are talked about at regular intervals, ”says Kari.

Read more: Researcher’s assessment: The biggest obstacle to halting the loss of forests is the Finnish state

Read more: The Finnish state is cutting down forests that a biologist thinks should be protected – Minister: “This is not a place of trouble”

Rocks recalls that the loss of biodiversity in Finland has not been halted, despite the promises made by several governments.

“The goal can no longer afford to fail.”

Kari says that he appreciates the work of nature surveyors funded by the Kone Foundation.

“It says that there are many parties in Finland who want to work for nature. This is valuable work. Finns love forests. ”

Read more: Ari Aalto walked through the state forests and looked for sites suitable for protection – Conclusion: “Now the last rips are being cut”