It is urgent to check how well the industry suits the vulnerable life of the forest. The message comes from six politicians in the energy and environment committee at the Storting. – We expect them to start immediately. If this takes too long, we will have to take the matter up again, says Høyre’s Mathilde Tybring-Gjedde. She points out that the government has been given a marching order. The increased pressure from Storting politicians comes after the last of news’s series of forest cases. Forests several biologists believe contained conservation values were felled and then sold with the industry’s stamp for sustainable timber. – The case shows that mapping of nature and thus forests must be improved, says Siv Mossleth of the Center Party. The news article sheds light on the race between nature and industry over the forests at Follsjå. An area with national and international conservation values. In the case, we follow biologist Sigve Reiso, in what he despairs of seeing yet another short-cut forest. The Center Party’s Siv Mossleth says the following after news’s case: – We have to get away from such confrontations. Forest mapping must be trusted by everyone who has an interest in forestry, Mossleth believes, and adds that she trusts the government to follow up on the decision that has been made. – Sensational reading The case from Follsjå also shows how the industry itself checked the environmental values before harvesting. They reduced the protected area significantly compared to what biologists marked. Forests outside this demarcation could thus be felled legally. Although this forest also had conservation values. The landowner did not want to protect either. UNIQUE: A very old pine, after its sunset. Biologists refer to the forests at Follsjå as unique. The case also shows: The man who traveled the area on behalf of the industry is referred to as a biologist. He has extensive forestry experience, but no education. He found endangered species during the pre-harvest survey, which he did not record. There is limited documentation on which assessments were made, only a meeting report. The industry doubts that the entire area should be defined as worthy of conservation. They point out that the rules have been followed, and that not all forest with conservation qualities is protected. Only a selection, as they did. – This case hit me like a punch in the stomach, says Une Bastholm of the Green Party. About what the case shows, she says: – It is completely unacceptable. Bastholm believes that it is entirely possible to have a profitable forestry industry in Norway, without destroying the habitats of vulnerable species. – The industry can even grow. But then completely different requirements must be set from the government, says Bastholm. – This is sensational reading, says Rødt’s Sofie Marhaug, and believes this may indicate that we cannot trust the environmental labelling. news has previously reported that forestry breaks its own environmental rules – and still retains the green certificate. With a large volume of felling, it is difficult to avoid mistakes, the Forest Owners’ Association pointed out, adding that they learn from their mistakes. Former climate and environment minister Ola Elvestuen from the Liberal Party is clear: – The logging at Follsjå shows all the shortcomings of Norwegian forest management. And why we are unable to take better care of the species diversity in the forest. GREEN: MDG’s Une Bastholm believes that clearcutting should not be allowed in areas with great natural values, such as at Follsjå. Photo: André Fagernæs-Håker / news Gave no deadline In March, the Storting demanded a full check following news’s case about translated environmental values in another forest in Telemark. They asked the government to review how the collection, registration and control of important natural values in Norwegian forests is done. They also asked to consider measures to ensure that the mapping is good enough. But no deadline followed the decision. Nor instructions on how the check should be done. MUST BE IMPROVED: The environmental registrations must be of good quality, forest protection must be effective and several important habitats for the species must be spared, believes Mathilde Tybring-Gjedde. Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news Høyre’s Mathilde Tybring-Gjedde envisages that the check and the measures can consist of random samples of environmental registrations in the field, strengthened expertise and methods for mapping. – We are completely dependent on trust in the environmental registrations that are carried out in the future, says the representative of the Conservative Party. SV confronted minister SV’s Birgit Oline Kjerstad raised the matter this week in the Storting’s question time. There she challenged Climate and Environment Minister Espen Barth Eide from the Labor Party. – The revelations to news are so gross that he has to go on the field and take action, says Kjerstad. The climate and environment minister opened for stricter requirements for the forest industry. He questioned whether the industry should control itself.
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Puts increased pressure on the government after felling in protected forest – news – Klima
