Taraba: Timber Harvesting Will Continue in Slovakia

Bratislava, 5 August (TASR) - Timber will continue to be harvested in Slovakia in the quantities needed to keep forests in a sustainable and healthy condition, Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) has posted on a social network, adding that it will be sold in two ways: to local processors within a 50-kilometre radius of the national park or in an international auction in which anyone can bid and the highest price wins. "Slovakia and the whole of central Europe today have a significant surplus of wood, and it's quite common for wood that doesn't have the capacity to be processed on our territory to be exported if it isn't to be wasted. This is how it works with exports of anything. If Slovakia produces more cars, washing machines or bottled water than it can consume, it is exported. Wood is not drugs, and trading with EU countries isn't trading with North Korea," stated Taraba. According to the minister, timber management in national parks is transparent, with timber being duly registered. Taraba said that he's ordered the setting up of a dynamic purchasing system at the Public Procurement Office so that everyone can register and compete. "Statistical data show that Slovakia harvests a third less timber than it should in order to maintain forests in a vital healthy condition. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in its report last year clearly stated that our forests are old and sick and capture less and less carbon dioxide," said Taraba. The minister also revealed that he's in talks on a long-term contract and cooperation with a key Slovak company that would be able to take all the low-quality wood that is currently rotting in the forests. This would provide long-term financial benefits to national parks, he added. ko/df