An inquiry regarding the illegal alteration of the order of protection of natural objects (no. 738)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
Date: 2025-05-19 22:28
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 51
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 52m
AI Summaries: 51/51 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda concerns a question raised by Anti Allas, Ester Karuse, Andre Hanimäe, and Helmen Küti regarding the illegal alteration of nature protection regulations. The question highlights a critical issue: why were restrictions on protected areas changed without the knowledge and unfairly to landowners, and why were the procedures of the Nature Conservation Act and the requirements of Natura 2000 not adequately implemented. The content of the question is based on an infringement procedure initiated by the European Commission in 2021 and the subsequent actions of the state regarding changes to protected areas and the execution of procedures. Concerns were raised about how to resolve the damage incurred by landowners, and when and how clarity will emerge from European Commission reports, and what compensation or remedial mechanisms the state is prepared to implement. Preparatory legislative amendments and their impact on protected areas, property rights, and local residents were also discussed at the table.
Decisions Made 1
No formal decisions were adopted in the collegium within the framework of the inquiry; the discussion focused primarily on the planned measures and plans, and on establishing the temporal validity of their implementation.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Anti Allas (pid 1Q5xJopcXOk). He spoke repeatedly and led the discussion on inquiry, posed critical questions, and proposed possible more humane compensation options. The work of the Riigikogu had to highlight that his represented party’s position is in opposition/non-coalition – expressing criticism regarding the processes that occurred and emphasizing the need for fairer solutions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This agenda item concerned the inquiry submitted on March 27 regarding the illegal amendment of the protection regime for natural objects. Anti Allase was tasked with introducing it from the Riigikogu rostrum with a five-minute speech.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas claimed that Estonia has long violated the protection regime for protected areas and secretly altered restrictions for forest owners without notification or consultation, which has caused damage and created the expectation that clarity regarding the European Commission's 2021 infringement procedure will be made public. He also posed questions regarding how to resolve the situation, how to compensate for the damage, and when the results of the infringement procedure will be disclosed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, and called him to the Riigikogu rostrum to answer the interpellation.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Responding to an interpellation from the Riigikogu, Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt stated that the rights of landowners are not being restricted. Instead, the protection regimes and the boundaries of strict nature reserves within Natura 2000 sites are being streamlined. Furthermore, amendments to the Nature Conservation Act are being implemented, which prohibit logging driven by economic considerations in Natura 2000 areas and conservation sites, with the exception of logging for emergency heating purposes. Concurrently, compensation measures are being offered, including subsidies of up to 160 euros per hectare, land tax concessions, and the option to acquire land containing protected habitats. Steps necessary to resolve the European Commission infringement procedure are also underway. Finally, a joint forest management plan and a strategic environmental assessment for the Natura 2000 areas are being drafted, which will result in a clearer understanding of how conservation objectives are being met by the year 2026.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The address expressed deep gratitude, noted that the audience had questions, and invited Helmen Kütt to take the floor.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt asked who was at fault for the infringement procedure being initiated against Estonia, whether responsibility has been taken for it, and how much this will cost the Estonian state.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt confirmed that the adopted laws were drafted in good faith and with the best available knowledge, adding that the current process of correcting deficiencies is natural, and the infringement procedure for Estonia can finally be concluded.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman invites Reili Rand to speak.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand continued the discussion that had been paused a week ago, referenced the written response, and returned to the topic of public engagement in the Natura assessment, stating that additional information regarding participation in the process has since emerged.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The process is public and participatory, involving all stakeholders, so nothing can be done in secret. Since this affects local governments and other parties, I believe the work will not be interrupted.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar makes a request to Anti Allas.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas asks why the damage, wrong decisions, or failures to make decisions are now being paid for by the local farmer or forester who owns the forest and is in the weakest position, and whether the minister could clearly state that the entire loss of value will be compensated by society at a fair price.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Andres Sutt said that, based on calculations by the Estonian University of Life Sciences, compensation rates are set at 160 euros per hectare for income lost if the forest had been located in a special management zone. Furthermore, if a plot of land was placed under stricter protection and the owner was unaware of this, they have the right to petition the state to purchase the land—the compensation mechanism is already in place.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Riina Sikkut to the stage.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut refers to the Chancellor of Justice's memorandum, which states that the designation of new strict protection zones was started illegally without previously amending the protection regimes, and that the legal basis for amending the protection regimes has now been established and is currently under deliberation in the Riigikogu; she asks what considerations led to taking this step.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Given that the commission had no substantive objections, and considering that even a full-scale environmental impact assessment conducted during the Natura assessment would result in the prohibition of logging this specific forest plot, we are therefore currently amending the law and the legal basis—the one the Chancellor of Justice highlighted—to ensure that the lack of a process description is rectified.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Tiit Maran to come forward and speak.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tiit Maran emphasizes that Natura 2000 assessments must be conducted according to the directive, and although the goal is to treat everyone equally, the last-minute changes are causing unfairness. He also asks whether greater compensation is foreseen for those whom this complexity affects.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Energy and Environment Minister Andres Sutt said that the issue dates back to the time we joined the European Union, and every case must be assessed individually, because there can be no solution otherwise.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar invites Lauri Läänemets to take the floor.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets highlights that the restrictions on forest management within Natura sites are both unexpected and unjust. He urges the state to grant exceptions, ensuring that individuals are given the right to manage the forest and coexist with it, thereby differentiating them from corporations that can source their raw materials elsewhere.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister Sutt emphasized that the restrictions are for the protection of nature and must not depend on the owner's status. Furthermore, the draft bill stipulates that firewood harvesting is permitted up to 5 cubic meters per hectare and up to 20 cubic meters per property annually, along with compensation of 160 euros per hectare and a 100% land tax exemption upon the law's adoption.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called Züleyxa Izmailova to speak.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova criticizes the logging decision, under which approximately 70% of the forest land is to be cut down, stating that it was not reached through broad consultation. She also asks how people and experts are involved in such decisions.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Andres Sutt stated that 70% of forest land is designated as commercial forest under the Forest Act, and 30% of the country’s land and sea area is protected. This combination provides a clear framework for both forest management and nature conservation. He added that Estonia has good reason to be proud of its nature conservation achievements, as we are leading the charge on multiple fronts.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls on Madis Kallas.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Kallas emphasizes the importance of environmental issues, congratulates the minister, and asks what the various European models for forest protection are, what mechanisms are offered to citizens, and whether he has discussed this matter with his colleagues in various formats.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt emphasizes the importance of balance, noting that 70 and 30 are two sides of the same coin, and promises further discussions on the topics of forest protection and nature, referring to the upcoming session of the Environment Council and Estonia's aspiration to be a role model, not a follower.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman calls Jaak Aab to speak.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab stresses that forest management must ensure sustainability and avoid felling overly young trees, while considering age- or diameter-based restrictions and guiding the timber industry toward higher value-added activities.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The dynamics of logging volumes must be viewed in a broader context, such as 2022–2023, when import channels from Russia and Belarus ceased to exist; although trading with the aggressor was the right decision, achieving local value added requires approximately 70% investment certainty, supply security, and the long-term, intergenerational management of the forestry sector, because this is precisely how its value is maximized.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks Raimond Kaljulaid to come.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid thanks the audience and admits that he is not an expert in this field, and perhaps neither of us is.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
It was simply said in the statement that there wasn't any.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid emphasizes that ordinary people value land ownership and have plans related to it, but the changes introduced suddenly have undermined the state's credibility, particularly among reservists living in sparsely populated areas. He then asks the minister whether he understands and acknowledges this detrimental effect on the state.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, stated that the amendments to the Forest Act coming into force this autumn must provide certainty both for the forestry sector and for environmental protection advocates. He added that the ministry and society need to sit down together, listen to one another, and make adjustments where necessary to avoid confrontation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar calls upon Tanel Kiik.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik asked more generally about the project to create the Ministry of Climate, questioning if it has failed, considering the absence of a climate law, a forest law, and clear agreements.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Andres Sutt states that when the environment and the economy are housed within a single ministry, it leads to more balanced agreements. He promises to advance and discuss the Climate-Resilient Economy Act, the Forestry Development Plan 2035, and the Energy Sector Development Plan 2035 in the Riigikogu, emphasizing that disagreements during the debate will ultimately lead to better outcomes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar invites Heljo Pikhof to speak.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof asks how the 70/30 ratio works if 50 hectares of forest are converted into agricultural land, whether the same amount of protected land must be reduced, and what the minister's position is.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, said that converting 50 hectares of forest land into agricultural land is complicated, and all such cases must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the general 70% limit and specific exceptions, and that 50 hectares should not be automatically reallocated if there is no clear need.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the minister, announces that there are no further questions, opens the floor for debate, and invites Anti Allas, as the representative of those who submitted the interpellation, back to the Riigikogu rostrum, requesting three minutes of additional time.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas stressed that Estonia should acknowledge the mistakes made in nature conservation processes and find a solution for local landowners through three fair compensation options, while simultaneously emphasizing the need for inclusion and clear communication so as not to let the most vulnerable pay for the societal value.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanked [the previous speaker/the audience] and invited his colleague Tiit Maran to the podium.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tiit Maran notes that Article 6, paragraph 3 of the Natura Habitats Directive requires an impact assessment even outside the protected area. He states that in 2023, land and forest owners felt a sense of injustice and a breakdown of trust towards the state, and he stresses that fair compensation is essential both for recompense and for restoring trust between the public and the state on matters of nature conservation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and now invites colleague Lauri Läänemets to take the floor.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets emphasized that the forest is a vital human resource, and the Natura restrictions established in the past have created an injustice for forest owners. He called for a two-level solution: enabling both communal and personal forest management, while simultaneously ensuring that businesses retain access to raw materials when necessary, in order to reduce the volume of logging and guarantee fairness and compensation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked those present, announced that there were no further requests to speak, and asked the Minister if he wished to take the floor from the Riigikogu rostrum.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, confirmed that compensation for forest land will be 100% of the market price (including land acquired before the establishment of the Natura area designation). He also noted that the 160 euros per hectare is derived from the average price of forest land. Furthermore, he highlighted the necessity of simplifying communication and services, affirming that the state exists for its citizens, and that the ultimate goal is to protect Estonian nature and the long-term value of its forests.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks and announces that he is closing the debate and concluding the consideration of Item Eight.