Poland's wood, furniture and paper industries have appealed to President Karol Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk to stop forestry reforms they say threaten raw material supplies, investment and tens of thousands of jobs, escalating a dispute over the country's forest policy.<\/p>\n
The appeal, coordinated by the Coalition for Polish Wood, targets the government's proposed UD108 amendment to the Forest Act, which would require the State Forests National Forest Holding to transfer 2% of annual timber sales revenue to the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management. Based on current harvesting levels, the payment would amount to roughly PLN 200-255 million (\u20ac47-60 million) each year.<\/p>\n
The Coalition argues the measure comes on top of broader restrictions on timber harvesting, creating additional financial pressure at a time when domestic wood availability is already declining.<\/p>\n
\"The voice of entrepreneurs is being ignored,\" the Coalition said in its letter, arguing that recent policy decisions threaten Polish manufacturers, workers and forest-dependent communities.<\/p>\n
The organisations estimate that plans to exclude 20% of State Forests from active forest management could eventually put up to 70,000 jobs at risk. According to the Coalition, companies represented by its members account for around 5% of Poland's GDP, employ approximately 350,000 people, and purchase about 12 million cubic metres of timber annually from State Forests.<\/p>\n
Supply concerns intensify<\/strong><\/p>\n The Coalition says a series of government decisions\u2014including harvesting moratoriums, new protected forest areas, additional nature reserves and the planned expansion of conservation zones\u2014are reducing domestic timber availability and increasing raw material costs.<\/p>\n According to the Polish Economic Chamber of the Wood Industry, the domestic market requires about 41 million cubic metres of timber annually. Around 38 million cubic metres reached buyers in 2025, while only 37 million cubic metres are expected to be available this year.<\/p>\n Credit insurer Coface recorded 117 insolvencies among wood-products manufacturers in 2025, up from 85 a year earlier. The National Debt Register estimates outstanding liabilities across Poland's furniture and wood sector at PLN 352 million.<\/p>\n Government defends environmental policy<\/strong><\/p>\n The Ministry of Climate and Environment says the UD108 mechanism would finance biodiversity protection, with proceeds supporting national parks, regional environmental authorities, universities and research institutes.<\/p>\n According to the ministry's regulatory impact assessment, the payments are linked to Poland's commitments under European Union climate and biodiversity policies, including LULUCF targets and plans to increase protected forest areas.<\/p>\n The draft legislation has received approval from the Standing Committee of the Council of Ministers and is expected to move to the government before being submitted to parliament.<\/p>\n The Coalition argues the proposal creates a contradiction by reducing timber harvesting while financing environmental programmes through timber-sale revenues.<\/p>\n Separate forestry reform<\/strong><\/p>\n The government is also advancing a separate amendment to the Forest Act, known as UD61, which was adopted by the Council of Ministers on June 23.<\/p>\n The proposal implements rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union by introducing appeals against Forest Management Plans and requiring ministerial approval for forest operations where no valid management plan exists. Unlike UD108, it does not include the proposed 2% levy on timber sales.<\/p>\n Ministry calls for dialogue<\/strong><\/p>\n The Ministry of Climate and Environment did not respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n The Ministry of Development and Technology said it recognises the strategic importance of Poland's timber, furniture and paper industries and supports balancing environmental objectives with economic competitiveness.<\/p>\n The ministry said timber availability affects manufacturing, exports, employment and investment, adding that predictable business conditions and dialogue between all stakeholders remain essential as forestry policy evolves.<\/p>\n The appeal was also sent to parliamentary leaders and committees responsible for the economy, environment and public finances as the legislation moves through the parliamentary process.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Poland’s wood, furniture and paper industries have appealed to President Karol Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk to stop forestry reforms they say threaten raw material supplies, investment and tens of thousands of jobs, escalating a dispute over the country’s … Continue reading