Brussels warns Poland about logging in Białowieża. Poland to demand compensation

The European Commission warned Warsaw that continued logging in Białowieża primeval forest despite the European Court of Justice order to stop it immediately, would be used against Poland in its case for the alleged breaking the rule of law. According to the commission spokeswoman, the situation in the primeval forest is being followed with great concern and if logging is confirmed “the issue will be taken up in the ongoing rule of law procedure with Poland.” “Complying with the decision of the court of justice of the EU is an integral part of EU law on which our very union is founded. Poland will have to explain its position in front of the court,” she added. According to activists who are at the site to observe the situation the logging is being continued, as they claim they’ve blocked one of the working harvesters The European Court of Justice ordered Poland to immediately halt large-scale logging in the oldest parts of the primeval forest in Białowieża. According to the court, the logging should stop immediately as it could cause “serious and irreversible damage” to the forest, while both sides will argue their case in court, which could take years. Polish government claims that the trees need to be cut down in order to stop a bark-eating beetle infestation. Since logging started, timber harvesting has increased threefold in Białowieża, and brings PLN millions in profits to the state-owned company managing Polish forests. Should Poland lose the case, it could be fined a lump sum of more than €4 million and possible daily penalties of up to €300,000 for every day in which Warsaw fails to adhere to the court's decision. According to Environment Minister Jan Szyszko, Poland will seek €2.5 billion in compensation from the European Commission if Brussels continues to “block safety measures undertaken to protect the forest,” he said in an interview with Nasz Dziennik daily, explaining that this is the amount that Poland will lose if it is not able to “protect” the forest from pests.