EU hauls Poland to court over logging in last ancient forest

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The EU took Poland to the European Court over logging in a protected ancient forest on Thursday.

EU's executive arm, the European Commission, "refers Poland to the Court of Justice of the EU and requests interim measures to stop logging operations in one of Europe's last remaining primeval forests," a statement said.

A UNESCO World Heritage site and protected under the EU Natura 2000 program on the border with Belarus, the ancient Bialowieza Forest is one of the last and largest remaining areas of the forest that once covered much of the European plain.

Environmental activists stand near a logging machine during an action in the defence of one of the last primeval forests in Europe, Bialowieza forest, Poland May 24, 2017. /VCG Photo

The Polish government appears not to be under pressure.

Its environment ministry has said the case in the bloc's top court is an opportunity to prove it has done nothing wrong.

The ministry tweeted Thursday it was “delighted” at the prospect of a court case.

“We have hard data on the #Buszowska (Białowieża) forest, and we will be pleased to present it before the tribunal,” it said in another tweet.

Polish Environment Minister Jan Szyszko has argued in favor of logging, saying it is needed to protect the woods against beetles.

A woodpecker perches on a tree in a protected area of Bialowieza forest, the last primeval forest in Europe, near Bialowieza village, Poland May 30, 2016. /VCG Photo

The Commission rejected Szyszko claim and said dying trees threaten habitats and endangered species.

"As logging operations have started on a significant scale, the Commission is ... requesting the Court for interim measures compelling Poland to suspend the works immediately," said the EU executive.

With backing from influential forester and hunter lobbies, Szyszko has slammed the media, saying it is attempting to steer the issue in a different direction.

"We are glad that the case will be taken to the tribunal because we will now be able to present undisputed documents which justify the steps we have taken in the Bialowieza Forest," the ministry said, according to state-run news agency PAP.

This file photo taken on June 8, 2017 shows Police removing environmental activists blocking logging machines to stop cutting the trees of the Bialowieza forest in Czerlonka, Poland. /VCG Photo‍

Local communities need logging to protect the forest and their livelihoods, the Polish minister was quoted in a Reuters report.

Europe's executive branch gave Polish authorities one month rather than the usual two to address its concerns about the forest, citing the "urgency of the situation."

Given the problems, the EU required that Poland implement interim measures immediately, before any court decision.

"The Commission considers the urgency of the situation requires such exceptional measures... irreparable damage is happening as we speak," said European Commission spokesman Enrico Brivio.

The UNESCO, last week, warned that it plans to put the forest on its list of world heritage sites in danger unless Poland stopped the logging.

(With inputs from Reuters, AFP)