Experts warn over forestry budget cuts
Sweden’s forests are at risk from government funding cuts which could hit preservation work, that’s the warning from experts, researchers and environmental groups.
The call comes after the government slashed 70 milllion US dollars from forestry over the coming three years in its autumn budget.
Staff at the Swedish Species Information Centre, the Swedish Biodiversity Centre and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences issued their warning over the impact of funding reductions in a letter to the Swedish Minister for the Environment, Andreas Carlgren.
The letter also calls on the government to reduce planned felling of Sweden’s older tree stocks.
The experts argue budget cuts will jeopardise work to preserve biodiversity in Swedish woodland, a role they describe as ”international”, referring to United Nations’ so-called Millenium Goals on the management of natural habitats, adding Sweden has an ”extremely serious responsibility” on the issue.
