The Environmental Board will initially suspend felling in forest habitat types of Natura 2000 sites for up to 28 months. The restricted zone includes more than 12,000 hectares of areas corresponding to habitat types in private forests where felling has been allowed so far.
The European Commission has launched an infringement procedure against the Estonian state, alleging that we do not sufficiently assess the effects on habitats when allowing felling. A habitat is a set of natural conditions that are necessary for a species to be able to live in that place.
"The task of the state is to ensure that the values in need of protection are inventoried and maintained in the managed forests of the restricted zone. We will stop felling in Natura forest habitats to ensure their preservation," said Minister of the Environment Erki Savisaar. According to the Minister of the Environment, the ministry plans to submit a proposal to amend the Nature Conservation Act, which would ensure the final protection of forest habitats.
Of course, we try to reduce the probability of infringement proceedings reaching the European Court because if we end up losing the case, it is the Estonian people who will have to pay the fine," said Savisaar. The maximum fine that threatens us is up to EUR 17.7 million as a lump sum, to which may be added up to EUR 6.9 million a year retroactively from 2004, to be paid from the European Union funds allocated to the Member State.
According to Rainer Vakra, Director General of the Environmental Board, there are an estimated 42,358 hectares of valuable forest habitats in the restricted zones, including 12,685 hectares in private forests and 29,673 hectares in the state or mixed ownership. "In order to prevent possible negative effects on habitats, we will suspend felling until the existence of habitats is finally clear. Additional inventories will give confirmation of this. According to the Environmental Board, nine out of ten cases are habitats. Natura sites were established already in 2004; therefore, we are now further checking that the restrictions set are up-to-date and the habitats are protected," said Rainer Vakra.
The Estonian state compensates for the loss of income on Natura 2000 private forest land due to nature conservation restrictions to the private forest owner through the Private Forest Center Foundation. 'Where an approved habitat exists in a private forest, the forest owner shall be entitled to compensation of EUR 60 or EUR 110 per hectare per year, depending on whether the habitat is located in a restricted or a special management zone. I am of the opinion that this compensation could be the same, that is if felling is not allowed in the restricted zone in forest habitats, the support rate should be the same as in the special management zone," the Minister of the Environment said, emphasizing that if more forest habitats were added to the special management zone, it would be necessary to find additional funds to pay compensation.
Natura 2000 is a pan-European network of nature reserves that aims to maintain or, where necessary, restore the favorable status of endangered species and habitats. Activities that do not jeopardize the objectives of the Natura site are permitted in Natura sites. As of 2017, the Estonian Natura 2000 network consists of 66 bird areas and 541 nature areas with a total area of 14,859 square kilometers. Just under half of the Natura sites are in the sea. Seventeen percent of Estonia's land territory is covered by Natura 2000 sites. In addition to forests, terrestrial Natura sites include arable land and other landscapes that are important for the conservation or restoration of species.
Additional information
Rainer Vakra
Director-General of the Environmental Board
5800 2828
rainer.vakra@keskkonnaamet.ee
Taimo Aasma
Head of the Department of Nature Conservation of the Ministry of the Environment
518 2905
taimo.aasma@envir.ee
