Today, there is a requirement for permission to fell mountainous forest. But according to the document, the forestry investigator Göran Örlander is considering submitting a proposal that would remove the permit requirement – instead, it would be sufficient with a felling notification, as is the case with felling in the rest of the country.
Another change being discussed is to shorten the time the Forestry Agency has to review a felling notification, from 6 weeks to 10 days.
The proposal is said to have sparked criticism in the investigation's expert group, primarily from environmental organizations' and authorities' representatives.
However, this is not unexpected given how the directives are formulated, according to forestry researcher Johanna Johansson.
The directives are very production-oriented and are based on not restricting forestry. The consequence will be that we will have a continued very high felling rate, she says to DN.
At the same time, there is a risk that the proposals will go against the parliamentary Environmental Objectives Committee.
The forestry investigation was appointed in February. The investigator does not want to comment on the proposal and refers to the first partial report in December.
