Interpellation concerning the necessity and timeliness of establishing a general quiet period during the breeding season (No. 804)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-10-13 21:20
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 30
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 30m
AI Summaries: 30/30 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
A debate on Interpellation No. 804 took place in the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament), submitted by Riigikogu members Züleyxa Izmailova, Tiit Maran, Tanel Kiik, Riina Sikkut, Heljo Pikhof, and Andre Hanimäe to Andres Sutt, the Minister of Energy and Environment, concerning the necessity and timeliness of establishing a general, binding nesting moratorium. The interpellators, led by Züleyxa Izmailova, emphasized that Estonia’s biodiversity indicators are in continuous decline, nearly 30% of species are endangered, and that 93% of the population supports a universal logging moratorium during the period from April 15 to July 15. They criticized the current recommended restrictions (including those implemented by RMK) as insufficient.
Minister Andres Sutt replied that the Ministry of Climate is awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in the legal dispute concerning the deliberate disturbance of birds during the nesting period. Until then, the current practice will continue. The Minister pointed out that RMK (State Forest Management Centre) has been implementing a voluntary logging moratorium for over 20 years, recently extending it until June 30, which covers about half of the forest land. Sutt defended the current legal framework and the breeding bird population density matrix adopted by the Environmental Board for risk-based supervision. The interpellators submitted several clarifying questions regarding the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision, the complexity of forest management under climate change conditions, and the mapping of the green network promised by the government. Izmailova expressed profound disappointment during the discussions regarding the minister's responses, deeming them vague and justifying inaction, and accused the government of neglecting nature conservation.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Züleyxa Izmailova, who submitted an inquiry and delivered two fiercely critical closing speeches, accused the government of neglecting environmental protection and of inaction. Her political stance is distinct (opposition, green/social democratic leaning).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi introduced the sixth item on the Riigikogu agenda: Interpellation No. 804, submitted by several members of parliament to the Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, regarding the necessity of establishing a general ban on disturbance during the nesting season (or 'breeding peace'). Following this, he gave the floor to the submitter of the interpellation, Züleyxa Izmailova.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova is presenting the query submitted to the minister regarding the pressing need to establish a binding and universal seasonal truce for nesting in Estonia. This measure is intended to protect birds and animals with dwindling populations from felling and maintenance activities. She stressed that despite overwhelming support—93% of the public and nature conservation organizations—the government has failed to implement clear regulations, and recent actions have only further weakened biodiversity protection.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the previous speaker and invited Andres Sutt, the Minister of Energy and the Environment, to the Riigikogu rostrum so that he could answer the questions posed by the interpellators.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi gave thanks and invited Andres Sutt, the Minister of Energy and Environment, to the Riigikogu podium to answer the questions submitted by the interpellators.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt clarified the Ministry of Climate’s stance on implementing a general nesting moratorium, noting that the ministry will await the Supreme Court's ruling concerning the intentional disturbance of birds during the breeding season before considering binding legislative amendments. Until then, the current practice will continue, under which the State Forest Management Centre (RMK) implements a voluntary logging moratorium in state forests, and the Environmental Board conducts risk-based supervision to ensure the effective protection of birds, while simultaneously taking into account the socio-economic impact of the forestry sector.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked those present, announced the list of people scheduled to question the experts, and asked Tiit Maran to be the first to start the Q&A session.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tiit Maran draws attention to the fact that modern forestry (harvesters) has created an issue regarding the nesting peace of birds, a problem that was unknown in previous centuries. He emphasizes that, according to the European Court of Justice ruling, bird protection must be guaranteed everywhere, not just within protected areas. He contrasts this position with the proposal made by the Estonian Employers' Confederation to limit nesting quiet solely to protected areas. He then asks the minister whether the latter will send a clear message to the Confederation should the Supreme Court confirm this universal protection obligation.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environmental Affairs Andres Sutt confirms that while the principle of bird protection is clear, the ministry is awaiting the Supreme Court's position due to varying interpretations of the European Court of Justice's ruling. Based on this position, the ministry will conduct an analysis and implement the necessary legislative amendments to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court's decision.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi briefly yielded the floor to Helmen Kütt, asking her to proceed with her address.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt, who admits unfamiliarity with the field but notes worriedly, as a bird lover, the decrease in the number of small forest birds, asks the minister for clarification regarding the frequency, basis, and execution of analyses commissioned by the state, also referring to the information presented by the questioners and the assessments of the European Environment Agency.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, stressed that the long-term decline in forest bird populations, which began as early as the 1980s, is attributable to several factors beyond forest management—such as climate and small predators. He simultaneously affirmed the importance of protecting birds and ensuring nesting peace, adding that the necessity of changing rules and practices will begin to be assessed once the Supreme Court’s decision is finalized.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invited Züleyxa Izmailova to the podium, granting her the floor.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova reminds the minister of the government's previous commitment to map a comprehensive nationwide green network across Estonia, involving local communities and halting the decline in biodiversity indicators. She then asks the minister for an update on the progress of the green network mapping and when a concrete implementation action plan is expected.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt stressed that nature conservation issues have not been sidelined by the ministry. Rather, continuous efforts are being made to protect biodiversity, studies are being carried out, and a societal balance is being sought. He affirmed the ministry's ongoing dedication to these matters and pointed to forthcoming debates in the Riigikogu regarding the Forest Act, the Forestry Development Plan, and the Nature Conservation Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi introduced the next speaker, Jaak Aab, giving him the floor.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab welcomes the introduction of the long-awaited package of draft laws (covering climate, forest, and nature conservation), but draws attention to the decline in biodiversity and the threat to species, asking the minister whether the drafts include concrete legislative steps for restoring habitats and preserving species diversity.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, notes that although the three bills currently under discussion are not a panacea for solving all problems, they will help simplify the processes of forestry and nature monitoring, thanks to technological advancements and the ministry's dedicated staff. Furthermore, they provide answers to some of the outstanding questions, while Sutt emphasizes that the final debate must occur once the bills reach the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called Anti Allase to the rostrum and granted him the floor.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas notes that although winter harvesting would be optimal regarding soil bearing capacity, climate change has rendered this impossible in many forest site types. Consequently, harvesting is carried out during milder periods, which harms the environment. He asks the ministry whether, in collaboration with scientists, they have considered approaches that would permit logging in certain forest types even during the logging moratorium, thus protecting birds while simultaneously preventing soil damage.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, acknowledges that balancing forest management and nature conservation is complicated due to unfavorable weather conditions, such as a mild winter or a wet summer. He emphasizes that while a responsible forest owner avoids damaging nature, private forest owners who are facing difficulties cannot simultaneously be denied felling permits. Therefore, societal understanding is necessary to minimize the disruption to nature.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi and Riina Sikkut were invited to the speaker's stand to deliver their presentation.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut is querying the minister regarding the background of the legal analysis on the deregulation of nature conservation, commissioned by the Government Office. She seeks to know whether the ministry was involved in ordering it, or if it was commissioned specifically due to the ministry's reluctance to deregulate, and further requests the minister to explain his expectations concerning the analysis's results.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt emphasizes that before taking any action, we must await the final results of the analysis, which will then inform decisions on how to simplify processes and reduce bureaucracy, while simultaneously prioritizing that these changes do not worsen the state of the natural environment.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the previous speaker, closed the question period, and then opened the debate, inviting the next speaker, colleague Züleyxa Izmailova, to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova expressed profound disappointment with the minister's poor and unprepared answers, arguing that the government has failed regarding both the climate law and nature conservation, where 30% of species are currently endangered. She emphasized that the Reform Party is not protecting Estonian nature; rather, it is actively accelerating its destruction.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi, having thanked the participants, announced that the members of the Riigikogu had exhausted their requests to speak, and then gave the floor to Minister Andres Sutt to conclude the debate.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt defended the Climate Ministry’s activities in nature conservation, refuting claims of negligence and harmful practices. He stressed that while the Supreme Court’s decision is awaited, the Environmental Board’s framework has helped ensure bird tranquility, and the strictly protected area of Estonian forests (18–19%) significantly surpasses the corresponding figures in Finland and Sweden. Consequently, accusations of neglecting nature protection are factually incorrect.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi concluded his brief introductory remarks with thanks, and subsequently yielded the floor to Züleyxa Izmailova, inviting her to deliver a response.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova voiced strong disapproval of the minister’s vague and non-specific responses, stressing that nature remains unprotected in reality, and that concrete actions and genuine political will—not just empty rhetoric—are vital for improving the situation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced the closure of the debates, noting that the consideration of the current agenda item before the colleagues was thereby concluded.