Lithuanian big timber lobby s clandestine influence – LRT Investigation
Mindaugas Aušra, Jurga Tvaskienė, LRT Investigation Team, LRT.lt2021.07.12 08:00
A forest in Lithuania. / J. Stacevičius/LRT
New amendments to the law on forests would limit timber exports and favour local wood processors in state-owned timber auctions. Previously ruled unconstitutional, the bill was influenced by some of the largest Lithuanian wood processors, LRT Investigation Team reports.
In April, former government vice-chancellor Lukas Savickas and former environment minister Kęstutis Mažeika, representing the Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS), registered amendments to the Forest Law. Under these amendments, local wood processing factories are favoured in auctions for timber from state-owned forests.