The Minister of Environment, Andres Sutt, plans to establish a new forestry council. Forest owners, scientists, and conservationists will discuss how to use and protect forests.
Currently, plans to amend the forest law have been halted. The reason is that different parties cannot find a common solution. The plan was to make 70% of forests economic forests and 30% protected areas.
Now, two separate councils will be created: one for discussing forestry and another for scientists. Kristi Parro said that there is currently no good place to discuss major decisions.
The forestry council will consist of 15-20 people. It will include forest owners, scientists, and politicians. Some people do not want to participate, but many have received invitations.
The council should not only discuss laws. Its goal is to find a common understanding of the future of forestry. Additionally, a scientific council will be established to study forest data.
The forestry council will meet at least twice a year. The first meeting is scheduled for the end of August. The exact time will be announced later.
The government already has many councils. For example, there is a climate council and an AI council. The forestry council is nothing new; a similar one existed 10 years ago.
Climate council member Maia-Liisa Anton said she hopes the new council will learn from past mistakes. The climate council did not discuss important issues enough.
Forest industry representative Henrik Välja said that the council should make decisions, not just talk. He wants 70% of forests to be designated as economic forests and 30% as protected areas by law.
Conservationist Tarmo Tüür said that scientists should speak the truth. They should not argue with lobbyists. He hopes that all parties will be able to participate.