world news - 30.11.2004
Half of Slovakian forests destroyed by storms
Approximately half of all forested areas in Slovakia were destroyed by windstorms last week. The equivalent of 2.5 billion m3 of timber, representing almost a year's worth of coniferous logging, disappeared in a single day.
According to Agriculture Minister Zsolt Simon, around 12,000 hectares of forest, consisting mainly of spruce trees, was destroyed, and another 12,000 hectares was damaged by the winds. All softwood logging in Slovakia has been banned for an indefinite period.
The Agriculture Ministry released Sk10 million (ˆ250,000) to fund the clean-up efforts. Slovakia will ask the EU to earmark money from its structural funds in support of the renewal of the High Tatra forests, minister Simon said at a press conference on Monday. He said he would leave for Brussels later on Monday.
The experts expect the damage to last several decades.
See also:
- — Russian Ministry of natural resources to create favorable investment conditions for the development of natural resources protection
- — U.S. attempts last ditch appeal in softwood lumber dispute
- — Germany: Sawmills benefit from Export
- — Russian timber sector increased production 2.9% in first 10 months of 2004
- — Timber Price Indices in UK
