Sweden presents a false image of its forestry

"Swedish forestry is not sustainable, but the Swedish government is opposing a long list of EU proposals for sustainable forestry and increased protection of forests. The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation will be present in Skellefteå to show what Swedish forestry really looks like and that the government is giving a false image," says Johanna Sandahl, President of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation. 

As Sweden holds the EU presidency, an informal meeting of the Member States’ senior officials in the forestry sector is currently being held. The Swedish government will present Swedish forestry as a role model and excursions will be conducted to show participants how "sustainable forestry works in practice". 

The Swedish government’s own expert agencies have warned that the development of ecosystems and biodiversity in Swedish forests is heading in the wrong direction – but the government continues to give a different message. In Sweden the prevailing forestry method – rotation forestry with clearcuts – threaten hundreds of species. Meanwhile, forests with high conservation values continue to be felled, and forest legislation does not meet EU law. Many landowners want their forests protected - but due to sharply reduced nature conservation budgets, funding opportunities have diminished. 

Today, a call is sent to the EU Commission with a vision for the forest in Sweden. It is an appeal to the EU – “Protect EU’s natural heritage in the North” – to not give in to the pressure from the Swedish government. The call is supported by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, more than 200 scientists and over 60 organizations. It demands, among other things, a halt to logging of forests with high conservation values and a transition to a closer to nature, sustainable forestry. 

"Clearcuts are not the future. We need a policy for viable forests, rich biodiversity and a forest industry that is competitive also in the long term. The government must change course completely," says Johanna Sandahl. 

To nuance the image of forestry for the visiting EU-participants, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation's county association in Norrbotten and the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation in Skellefteå will be present and, among other things, present a photo exhibition on what Swedish forestry looks like in reality (see image below). In collaboration with the Sami people and other environmental organizations, they will organize a series of activities.  

Protect EU’s natural heritage in the North!

Image by Marcus Westberg showing how Swedish forestry really looks like.