Finnish forests are not understood abroad – Industry boss: “You have to teach”

The EU Commission recently announced a new one bioeconomy strategywhose goal is to develop pioneering markets and increase bioeconomy innovations and investments.

The forestry sector has had a lot of talk about the EU forest regulation. Isn’t the forest industry in the EU anymore?

“We have also been closely involved in the preparation of this EU bioeconomy strategy. It is very balanced and emphasizes the importance of the forest industry in the bioeconomy. It is good to build on that,” praised Stora Enson managing director Hans Sohlström On the broadcast of Talousam on Friday.

However, there are still concerns about regulation – there has also been discussion in Brussels about limiting logging.

“Forestry is the most clearly regulated industry in the EU. We have to be active in Brussels. For most EU countries, the forest does not mean the same to us and Sweden. We have to teach the members of the commission, officials and the parliament what sustainable forestry in Finland is like.”

In Finland, forests are managed very sustainably, Sohlström estimates.

“When I tell you that the spirit of the Finnish Forestry Act in practice is that for every felled tree roughly three new ones must be planted, then it is an eye-opener for political decision-makers.”

“Today, the number of trees in Finland is almost double compared to the 1940s. It comes specifically from active forestry and the fact that forests are also used sustainably. By increasing the growth of forests, carbon sinks are also increased,” he said.

Watch Sohlström’s interview and Talousaamu broadcast in full from here.