EU court orders halt to logging in Polish forest

Brussels had requested the court to issue an immediate ban on logging, arguing that irreparable damage could be caused in Białowieża, north-east Poland, one of Europe's last remaining primaeval forests.

The EU court is to make a final decision after it considers Poland's arguments. The environment ministry in Warsaw has until 4 August to make its case.

Polish government spokesman Rafał Bochenek said all operations in the forest comply with both Polish and EU laws.

He added Warsaw would respond to the preliminary decision after studying it in detail.

Warsaw claims that trees are being cut down in the forest to stop a spruce bark beetle infestation.

The European Commission has deemed Poland’s explanations insufficient and wants the court to determine whether Warsaw is violating EU directives on habitats and birds.

Ties between Warsaw and Brussels are already tense.

The European Commission this week stepped up its legal case against Poland over its refusal to accept migrants from states under pressure in the EU’s migration crisis.

Meanwhile, the commission said on Wednesday it was ready to trigger a formal warning by the EU if Poland dismisses or forces the retirement of Supreme Court judges as part of a controversial overhaul of the country’s judiciary.

(pk)

Source: IAR