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Home NATIONALMetsähallitus act continue to raise doubts
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Mon, 09 May, 2016 12:04:12 AM
FTimes – STT Report, May 9

The new act on the state enterprise Metsähallitus has continued to raise questions. Staunch opposition has been levelled at the preparation of the legislation since mid-April.

The biggest concern is whether the reconstitution of Metsähallitus would culminate in brutal use of land or whether the voices of the forest land beneficiaries would be heard on issues related to the use of land.

Jussi Kumpula, the interim managing director of the yet to be named company established by the act said the legislation would not bring about any change to the use of land. “Incorporation to others is an ideological thing. We have seen from the beginning that this legislative amendment does not affect our daily operations.”

On the other hand, Finnish Nature League Executive Director Tuulia Syvänen pointed out some contradictions between the assurances made and the state’s bio-economy rhetoric.

“You cannot know what would happen in the long term,” Syvänen said.

The performance target set forth by parliament for Metsähallitus will in the future continue to set the framework for felling quantities.

Reindeer Herders’ Association Executive Director Anne Ollila said what the reindeer herders are most worried about are intensified activities in the forests. Ollila appealed to parliament to set reasonable performance targets.

Finnish Lapland Tourism Board Executive Director Liisa Mäenpää said the tourism industry hopes that nature conservation would be safeguarded in a way to ensure that felling of trees does not jeopardise ecotourism.

According to the new act, the forestry business of Metsähallitus will be transferred to a limited liability company for forestry established by the act. The company will be fully owned by the state. With this procedure, the state forestry business will be organised in a competition neutral way as required by the EU law.

 

 

 
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