Estonian corporate timber procurement policy and practice

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Estonian corporate timber procurement policy and practice

Research: Estonian corporate timber procurement policy and practice (PDF)

Estonian forests provide living habitat to about 20 000 different species. Altogether they cover half of the country’s area, out of which 9% are strictly protected. Forest sector production constitutes almost 15% of Estonian foreign export and hires nearly 40 000 people. About half of this timber production is sold in the European market and in several other developed countries of the world.

By the end of 20th century, Estonian timber production had reached 13 million cubic meters a year. However, today this number has fallen to less than 7 million cubic meters.
This high timber production of the past was accompanied by high rates of illegal logging and a lack of proper laws in the forestry sector. Although illegal logging has now decreased, the problem still remains and state offi cials lack proper information on the actual scope of shadow forestry.

Forest management practices and existing conservation methods are characterized by a wide scope and numerous uncertainties. These include the legality of timber and aspects
related to timber harvesting, considerations of biodiversity and cultural heritage, compliance with tax laws, as well as the rights of forest workers and local people. All this may raise concern among the ordinary citizens whether Estonian forest managers are indeed responsible enough or are they ignoring the true value of forests being driven by short-term profit.

The following research is among the first of its kind in Estonia. It intends to map and analyze the corporate timber procurement policies and practices in Estonia, as well as to
make recommendations for direct improvements. I hope that this work will not only broaden the understanding of its readers, but will also have a practical value in improving the conservation and management of Estonian forests.

My greatest thanks to all the supporters of this project:
WWF Sweden and Swedish national forest company Sveaskog as well as our partners in Estonia – AS Stora Enso Mets, AS Metsäliitto Eesti, AS Holmen Mets, AS Södra Eesti, AS Erapuit, AS Balcas Eesti, AS Lemeks, AS NorEstWood, OÜ Vara Saeveski, AS UPM Kymmene Forest.

Estonian Fund for Nature,
Jüri-Ott Salm
Managing Director and Member of the Executive Committee