In a land renowned for its passion for football and cultural heritage, it might come as a surprise that Poland’s national sport is, in fact, mushroom picking. This unique tradition has woven itself into the fabric of Polish culture, with citizens venturing into the lush forests to forage for mushrooms and berries. However, this cherished activity is now facing a potential threat due to the European Union’s Forest Strategy, part of the overarching Green Deal initiative.
Preserving Poland’s Treasured Tradition: Mushrooming and the Battle Against EU’s Forest Strategy
With a deep-rooted connection to the land, mushrooming has become a cherished pastime for many Poles. As State Forests’ Spokesman Michał Gzowski aptly puts it, “Poland’s forests are our great treasure.” In his video posted on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Gzowski underscores the importance of preserving this tradition and defends Poland’s forests against the perceived encroachment of the EU’s Forest Strategy.
“What is the national sport of the Poles? Football? No. It is definitely mushroom-picking! But what is it like mushroom picking in Poland? We can pick mushrooms and berries to our heart’s content but for our own use. The only restriction is the prohibition on destroying nature. But this is obvious. What about other European countries? In the Netherlands, the forests belong to the Queen and, apart from small, designated areas, mushroom picking is completely prohibited. In Germany, we can pick a maximum of a kilo or two of mushrooms per person. Exceeding this limit carries a fine of up to several thousand euros. In Spain, on the other hand, you have to pay 10 euros a day for picking mushrooms, if you find them somewhere, of course. Poland’s forests are our great treasure. Let’s defend them against the EU’s crazy ideas,”
said State Forests’ Spokesman Michał Gzowski in his video on X (formerly known as Twitter).
EU Forest Strategy’s Ripple Effect: Balancing Preservation and Economic Impact Across Member States
The crux of the matter lies in the EU Forest Strategy’s aim to strictly protect 10 percent of the Union’s land area. This intention, however noble, could lead to a significant shift in forest management policies across member states. For Poland, this could mean the relinquishment of national forest management competencies to shared competencies, as per the provisions outlined in Article 4 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
Patryk Jaki, a prominent voice on the issue, warns that this potential shift in power could have far-reaching economic implications. Jaki predicts a reduction in timber harvesting, which would inevitably impact industries such as Polish furniture and window and door joinery. These sectors, holding sales leadership within the EU, could face disruptions if the EU’s Forest Strategy becomes the guiding framework.
Controversy Over EU’s Reach: Debate Ignites as Non-Timber Forest Products Fall Under Regulatory Spotlight
The EU’s proposal also extends its reach to encompass non-timber forest products, a category that includes game, mushrooms, forest fruits, resin, and honey. This move, though an attempt to harmonize regulations across member states, has raised concerns among some nations. In a recent working group meeting held in Brussels, Austria, Lithuania, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sweden, and Poland expressed scepticism about the proposed extension of EU regulations to cover these products.
Gzowski, echoing sentiments shared by many in Poland, emphasizes the stark contrast between the nation’s approach to mushrooming and that of Western countries. “In Poland, everyone is free to pick mushrooms in the forest,” he says. This liberty stands in stark contrast to the regulations in Western countries, where permits, limited harvesting times, and strict daily limits are often imposed.
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