The coalition promises that 70% of Estonia's forest land will remain commercially managed. At the same time, a balance between the environment and industry needs to be found. The Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, says that commercial forests do not mean that anything can be done. Commercial forests must comply with laws and restrictions.
30% of the forest land would be under nature conservation. This is an international practice to allow nature to function. Tarmo Tüür agrees that boundaries are necessary. He emphasizes that nature protects us and provides us with clean food.
Tüür says that the main problem is the poor state of nature. Nature protects our children and provides the immune system. 30% nature conservation is a global consensus. It is written in the Montreal Agreement.
Andres Sutt believes that there is no need to strictly adhere to percentages. The forest is a living organism that changes every year. He believes that changes should come when it is clear that we are moving in the wrong direction.
Tüür points out several problems. First, 30% nature conservation is difficult to achieve because half of Estonia is forest. Second, 70% commercial forest means that the forest will be destroyed. Third, this allocation does not solve the problem of timber resources. Rather, there is a need for clear logging volumes and industrial plans.