A cut above the norm
The demands of the sawmill industry have forced the State Forest-the body that maintains and harvests Poland's vast woodlands-to increase this year's cut.
But representatives of the sawmill industry say that the extra 1.5 million cubic meters is a case of 'too little, too late.' They are demanding three times this volume.
Producers claim they will not have enough timber in the final quarter of the year to meet the demands of builders, kitchen manufacturers, pallet makers and garden furniture exporters.
The Polish Economic Chamber of Wood Industry represents 90 enterprises, employing about 25,000 workers.
The chamber's managing director, Bogdan Czemko, says that it is vital to meet demand. "Our main problem is policy that governs the State Forest, which provides our raw materials," he says. "The level of wood harvesting in Poland is very low and we want to see it increase to the sort of levels present in other European countries. We think it would be possible to change these rules to allow the State Forest to cut more.
"We have tremendous potential here but the State Forest cannot increase its harvest without agreement from the Ministry of the Environment. Many industry [representatives] believe that when demand increases, the State Forest should raise its timber cut. But legislation limits the amount of woodland that can be harvested in Poland to 56 percent of mature new growth. In Germany that figure stands at 65 percent, while in Scandinavia the harvest can be as high as 75 percent."
The six percent increase pledged by the State Forest, although welcome in the short term, will only spell trouble for the future because each of the regional forestry boards operates on a 10-year work plan. If the harvest limit is exceeded one year, the extra volume will be deducted from the following year's target.
"The Chamber is talking with the State Forest, the Ministry of the Economy and the Ministry of the Environment-but so far with only small results," says Czemko. "They are interested in our problems but they have not made significant changes to the factors that govern our situation."
He highlights another difficulty the chamber members face. The State Forest is not permitted to enter into long-term contracts with the sawmill industry. This introduces instability and limits the ability of businesses to develop.
"If the State Forest could provide more wood, the industry would process it. The amount they can cut is limited by set rules and we would like to see a change in the laws [behind these] rules.
"Much of our lumber is sold to the home market, but the export of timber is also significant-about 14 percent. Significant amounts of our other products such as wainscots, garden furniture and pallets are also exported."
"With such a large amount of exports, the exchange rate is a major factor in the industry's economy," he continues. "This rate is, of course, getting stronger."
The State Forest's deputy director general, Tomasz Wójcik, said the organization is keen to help the industry.
"Everyone has the right to criticize, but please consider the fact that the State Forest is responsible for managing the forests that are public property. We do not want to damage the natural balance of the woodlands or impinge on its use for tourism or recreation."
On the rigidity of the State Forest's 10-year plan, he comments: "The plan safeguards our forest's future and has been devised by government scientists."
Additional reporting Agnieszka Troszkiewicz
But representatives of the sawmill industry say that the extra 1.5 million cubic meters is a case of 'too little, too late.' They are demanding three times this volume.
Producers claim they will not have enough timber in the final quarter of the year to meet the demands of builders, kitchen manufacturers, pallet makers and garden furniture exporters.
The Polish Economic Chamber of Wood Industry represents 90 enterprises, employing about 25,000 workers.
The chamber's managing director, Bogdan Czemko, says that it is vital to meet demand. "Our main problem is policy that governs the State Forest, which provides our raw materials," he says. "The level of wood harvesting in Poland is very low and we want to see it increase to the sort of levels present in other European countries. We think it would be possible to change these rules to allow the State Forest to cut more.
"We have tremendous potential here but the State Forest cannot increase its harvest without agreement from the Ministry of the Environment. Many industry [representatives] believe that when demand increases, the State Forest should raise its timber cut. But legislation limits the amount of woodland that can be harvested in Poland to 56 percent of mature new growth. In Germany that figure stands at 65 percent, while in Scandinavia the harvest can be as high as 75 percent."
The six percent increase pledged by the State Forest, although welcome in the short term, will only spell trouble for the future because each of the regional forestry boards operates on a 10-year work plan. If the harvest limit is exceeded one year, the extra volume will be deducted from the following year's target.
"The Chamber is talking with the State Forest, the Ministry of the Economy and the Ministry of the Environment-but so far with only small results," says Czemko. "They are interested in our problems but they have not made significant changes to the factors that govern our situation."
He highlights another difficulty the chamber members face. The State Forest is not permitted to enter into long-term contracts with the sawmill industry. This introduces instability and limits the ability of businesses to develop.
"If the State Forest could provide more wood, the industry would process it. The amount they can cut is limited by set rules and we would like to see a change in the laws [behind these] rules.
"Much of our lumber is sold to the home market, but the export of timber is also significant-about 14 percent. Significant amounts of our other products such as wainscots, garden furniture and pallets are also exported."
"With such a large amount of exports, the exchange rate is a major factor in the industry's economy," he continues. "This rate is, of course, getting stronger."
The State Forest's deputy director general, Tomasz Wójcik, said the organization is keen to help the industry.
"Everyone has the right to criticize, but please consider the fact that the State Forest is responsible for managing the forests that are public property. We do not want to damage the natural balance of the woodlands or impinge on its use for tourism or recreation."
On the rigidity of the State Forest's 10-year plan, he comments: "The plan safeguards our forest's future and has been devised by government scientists."
Additional reporting Agnieszka Troszkiewicz
