Inquiry regarding the destruction of Spruce plantations (no. 782)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2025-09-08 23:31
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 17
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 20m
AI Summaries: 17/17 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The ongoing inquiry concerned the destruction of spruce seedlings and questions related to the management of RMK nurseries and forest regeneration. The inquiry was submitted by members of the Riigikogu: Peeter Ernits, Kalle Grünthal, Lauri Laats, Andrei Korobeinik, Vadim Belobrovtsev, and Vladimir Arhipov, with Peeter Ernits listed as the initial presenter, and the discussion took place on May 19, 2025. The published material showed that the central theme was the extent of the destruction of spruce seedlings and the distribution of responsibility: whether and how the quality of seedlings used in state forests and private forests, along with their specific markings and distribution, complies with national norms. In addition, consideration was given to how the principles of balancing nature conservation and forestry should be reflected in the future, and what measures the RMK is taking to introduce or eliminate non-standard seedlings in certain cases.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Member of Parliament Peeter Ernits, who represented the group of questioners and accepted several speeches and questions during the discussion. His position was: other (representative of the questioners), which was the central focus, and his remarks shaped the direction of the discussion and the focus of attention, directing responses to the minister's explanations.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announced that they would begin debating the Riigikogu’s eighth interpellation concerning the destruction of spruce seedlings, which was submitted on May 19, 2025, by Peeter Ernits, Kalle Grünthal, Lauri Laats, Andrei Korobeinik, Vadim Belobrovtsev, and Vladimir Arhipov, and whose rapporteur is Peeter Ernits.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits describes an incident that occurred near Iisaku in the spring, where local women reported that a major slaughter was imminent. After seven questions were posed, it became clear that what had seemed unbelievable was, in fact, possible, and the minister is set to provide a more detailed explanation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites the Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, to answer the interpellation.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Andres Sutt explains that RMK does not destroy standard spruce seedlings; non-standard plants are either composted or sold to private forests. Free distribution is carried out on a limited scale, and the priority is to secure buyers. This is happening while the volume of state forest felling has dropped due to nature conservation restrictions—to approximately 64% in 2019 and 56.6% in 2024.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announces that there are questions and asks Peeter Ernits to respond.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speech asks the minister where the balance between nature conservation and forestry should lie, and whether environmental protection has already become overly dominant.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt said that we have reason to be proud of our nature conservation efforts, and the balance between managed and protected forest should remain the current status, where approximately 70% of forest land is managed. He added that the draft bill will reach the Riigikogu by the end of autumn.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller invites Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to take the floor.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart asks whether there is a plan to initiate a special audit concerning RMK's secret agreements and long-term contracts, and to get a clear answer as to who was behind them.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Andres Sutt confirmed that RMK adheres to the principle of transparency and has updated the owner’s expectations, including ensuring the transparent organization of timber sales. Furthermore, measures will be implemented and official authorities will be contacted if necessary.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller thanks the participants, closes the question period, opens the debates, and, as the representative of the interpellators, calls upon Peeter Ernits.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits describes how a seemingly hopeless situation in May was resolved: non-standard spruce seedlings were rapidly distributed to people across Estonia, thanks to the cooperation between the minister and the head of RMK. This generated great joy and gratitude among the public, proving that a solution can be found even when circumstances appear desperate.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller asks if additional time is requested.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits asks for a couple of minutes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
He/She is asking for two more minutes.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits describes how thousands of young spruces were saved at the Alliku nursery thanks to information provided by four women, and even though they subsequently lost their jobs, they remain grateful and happy.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller announced that there were no requests to speak in the chamber, the Minister did not wish to take the floor, and the debate was concluded, having passed the eighth item on the agenda.