/ world today news/ The unscrupulous preparation of forestry plans is the basis of the looting of Bulgarian forests – this is what the “Forum Priroda” Association says in its opinion. The document regarding the actions stated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food related to the management of forests has been sent to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Desislava Taneva and the Chairman of the Commission for Agriculture and Food Rumen Hristov.
The main highlights of the opinion are focused on the preparation of a bill that would temporarily suspend the refund of VAT on the export of raw wood, as well as the inclusion of 103 thousand hectares (1,030,000 decares) of state forests in the “protected forests” category. The proposals aimed at limiting the use of forest infrastructure, changing the requirements for some forestry activities, as well as the issued orders for the suspension of logging in Strandzha and the forced leave of forestry employees in this region until May 1, 2015, are also commented on. The Association considers, that this is “a vivid example of the lack of a unified and comprehensive policy in the management of the industry.”
“At the root of the looting of the Bulgarian forests is the question of the bad faith preparation of the forestry plans, which for a period of 10 years determine the measures for the use of the forest resources and the guidelines for achieving the goals of the management of the forest territories. We have reason to claim that there is a system in place for the hidden monopolization of this activity by a few companies that have obsessed over their preparation and in practice serve corporate and personal interests. It is particularly disturbing that there is no subsequent control for their implementation perform. Something about which the competent authorities do not provide information. And here, in our opinion, the prosecutor’s office should also intervene – who prepares them and according to what methodology, which are the licensed companies that perform this activity? Who controls their implementation?” – the NGO asks.
The Association shares the opinion that the sharp questioning of the Bulgarian public about illegal logging and the export of unprocessed wood is completely justified, but they consider that the statement by the Ministry of Agriculture is not substantiated with the necessary responsibility and in accordance with the logic of the market and our international commitments.
The Association is convinced that the legal provisions for the protection of forest territories are ineffective and inadequate to the current social realities. “Small offenders are caught, and the big ones appoint their bosses in the forests. We believe that the wood users should also be subject to special control – from where and how did they acquire it? We support efforts in this direction, but so far they have been unsuccessful. It is obvious is the need to update the legislation and create a specialized unit for the analysis and evaluation of the problems of protecting forest territories, as well as control of the “entry and exit” of wood processing enterprises,” says the opinion of “Forum Priroda”.
The Association commented on the lack of an adequate reaction of the Ministry of Agriculture in relation to the order issued by the executive director of the South-East Forestry Enterprise to stop logging in Strandzha and forced the workers there to go on leave in the following way: “The manager should be held responsible for this, that he committed these violations, and not to place the blame on the workers. Such “action” decisions show managerial weakness.”
“Forum Priroda” insists that the Ministry of Agriculture answers why wood is so cheap in Bulgaria, since the ministry considers that one of the main reasons for its export from our country is its high price abroad. “Why hasn’t an in-depth analysis of how the price of harvested wood is formed and, if necessary, to change the relevant regulations? Maybe because in Bulgaria you enter the forest with a permit for a certain amount, and you also cut you export twice or three times more. The issue of the export of unprocessed agricultural products is one of the serious problems of our country, and here the role of the ministry and the state as a whole is to create conditions for the stimulation of the processing industry. But the new program period does not provide for this” – environmentalists state.
The Association appeals for a serious reform of the forestry industry in Bulgaria, because the current model does not meet public expectations and needs. “It has come to this point because the current law was imposed by people who call themselves professionals, but serve the interests of pseudo-environmental organizations and large wood users, and pursue personal interests. At the same time, they show the lack of elementary opportunities to apply “their own” law. It was they who created conditions for conducting purges of management personnel and “guaranteed” political protections over corporate interests. This demotivates the forestry guild professionally.”
“Forum Priroda” proposes to immediately organize a public discussion by the Ministry of Agriculture, at which non-governmental organizations, scientific units and universities, interested in the protection and sustainable use of forests, propose concrete measures for a radical change in the management of the sector and the exercise of effective state and public control through the adoption of a new Forest Law.
You can familiarize yourself with the content of the entire Opinion on our website:
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What are the key recommendations from “Forum Priroda” to enhance accountability and transparency in the management of Bulgaria’s forests?
OPENING QUESTION: What are the main issues that the “Forum Priroda” Association highlights in their opinion about the management of Bulgarian forests, and how do they relate to the current state of forestry plans and practices in the country?
SECTION 1: Forestry Plans and their Impact on Forest Management
How do bad faith forestry plans lead to the looting of Bulgarian forests? Who prepares these plans and what is the current methodology for their development?
What are the consequences of poor planning for the environment and the forestry industry, and how has the lack of control over their implementation affected various stakeholders, including small and large businesses, NGOs, and the public?
What specific proposals does the Association make to improve the forestry planning process, including proposals for increased transparency and stakeholder involvement?
SECTION 2: Protection of Forest Territories
What are the most significant gaps in current legislation related to the protection of forest territories, and how could they be addressed through legal reforms or increased enforcement?
How can we ensure that both small and large forestry operators are subject to appropriate levels of control and accountability for their actions?
What is the role of the state in stimulating the processing of agricultural products such as wood, and how can this be achieved without compromising forest conservation efforts?
SECTION 3: Managerial Responsibility and Accountability
Why do you believe that the managerial response to the Strandzha National Park issue was inadequate, and what specific measures should be taken to hold forestry managers accountable for their decisions?
What is the Association’s position on the role of forestry associations and guilds in promoting sustainable forest management practices, and how can their autonomy and professionalism be protected while ensuring public accountability?
SECTION 4: Forestry Sector Reform
What specific measures or policies would the Association like to see implemented to promote sustainable forest management and protect against misuse and exploitation of forest resources?
What role should the public and NGOs play in shaping the future of the forestry sector in Bulgaria, and how can their voices be better incorporated into policy-making processes?
How can the Ministry of Agriculture and
