UN delegates called for a halt to illegal logging in Bialowieza Forest, piling yet more pressure on the Polish Environment Minister to stop destroying Europe’s oldest forest. UNESCO delegates resisted political pressure to water down their decision, instead basing it on science and the recommendations of independent experts. Many insisted on the importance of an immediate decision, pointing to the Commission’s legal challenge to the logging, and the suspected inadequacy of the Polish ministry’s impact assessments.
UNESCO warned that if the situation hasn’t improved, Bialowieza Forest could be added to the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger.
The Polish government has so far ignored the appeals of Polish scientists to stop cutting, which threatens many species.
The European Commission has opened an infringement procedure against Poland, urging the Polish Government to provide all the details of the plan.
The European Commission has opened an infringement procedure against Poland, urging the Polish Government to provide all the details of the plan.