EU Pressure Leads to Drastic Measures
In response to pressure from the European Union, which demanded that compliant measures be taken to cease the use of firewood for heating, the Ciolacu Government has opted for a circumventive approach. Through an ordinance turned law, the government has effectively halted the exploitation of wood from forestry units. Currently, over 1.5 million cubic meters of timber cannot be harvested and utilised from state forests. Gradually, all forestry units are slated to face a prohibition on selling firewood.
Government’s Swift Response to EU Directive
The Ciolacu Government swiftly acted to ensure that Romanians would no longer be able to use firewood for heating their homes, aligning with the directive from the European Commission. Unable to directly ban firewood, the Executive set the stage for blocking forestry units. Consequently, within two years, none of these units will be allowed to commercialise this product.
Union Raises Alarm on Bureaucratic Hurdles
The Silva Federation of Forestry Unions raised concerns, pointing out that due to two legislative acts, Romsilva currently has over 1.5 million cubic meters of timber blocked, with an estimated value of 600 million lei. This timber, if legislation remains unchanged, will go unharvested and un-utilised in 2024. The bureaucratic hurdle causing this deadlock is rooted in the regulatory act, Law 347/2023, which came into effect on 16th November 2023. This law approved modifications to Government Emergency Ordinance 177/2022, amending and supplementing Forestry Law 46/2008. A provision was introduced without any economic and social impact assessment, stipulating that the forest management plan takes effect after its publication in the Official Gazette of Romania, along with the ministerial approval order.
Sector Paralysed by Red Tape
Silva Federation argues that, due to this bureaucratic and counterproductive regulation, 25 out of 312 forestry units within Romsilva are currently unable to carry out silvicultural work and harvest timber from approximately 150 thousand hectares of forests. They attribute this to the delay in publishing the forest management plans for almost three months since the enactment of Law No. 347/2023. This not only affects the supply of firewood to the population in the midst of winter but also hampers the processing industry, which adds economic value to this strategically important renewable resource.
Anomalies and Aberrations in Legislation
The forestry sector faces further challenges due to anomalies in legislation, such as a recent law modification requiring the publication of forest management plans, which can be extensive documents of around a thousand pages. Silva Federation President, Silviu Geana, points out the impracticality of this process and anticipates an increasing number of forestry units facing similar challenges in the coming years.
Environmental Assessment Redundancy
Another challenge highlighted by Geana is the government’s resolution regulating the environmental assessment of forest management plans, currently blocking 105 forestry units. He deems the environmental assessment redundant since the forest management plan inherently includes an environmental evaluation. However, this process becomes a lucrative source of income for some, with the environmental assessment for a single forestry unit costing 50,000 lei.
Excessive Bureaucracy and Unnecessary Costs
Geana emphasises that the entire process involves substantial costs, from the initial payment for the forest management plan to additional charges for the environmental assessment and the subsequent page-by-page fees for publication in the Official Gazette. This excessive bureaucracy and unnecessary costs ultimately contribute to the rising prices of wood. Geana believes that the over-regulation in Romania surpasses European standards, hindering the functionality of EU directives and causing significant financial burdens. He expresses concern that these measures might lead to the destruction of the forestry sector.
The clash between EU directives, national legislation, and bureaucratic hurdles raises questions about the sustainability and economic viability of the forestry industry. As stakeholders grapple with these issues, the consequences could extend beyond the industry, affecting both environmental conservation efforts and the livelihoods of those dependent on the forestry sector.
Text source: National, photo source: WeMove Europe
Editor: Andreea Gudin
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