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: 19
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 20m
AI Summaries: 19/19 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated the interpellation submitted on May 19, 2025, by Riigikogu members Peeter Ernits, Kalle Grünthal, Lauri Laats, Andrei Korobeinik, Vadim Belobrovtsev, and Vladimir Arhipov concerning the destruction of spruce seedlings in RMK (State Forest Management Centre) nurseries. Interpellator Peeter Ernits highlighted an incident near Iisaku where local employees reported the mass destruction of seedlings, which Ernits dubbed a "slaughter."
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt responded to seven questions, explaining that RMK does not destroy standard seedlings, but rather composts the approximately 10% of substandard plants generated annually that do not meet the quality requirements for forest regeneration. The Minister confirmed that RMK's felling volume has decreased in recent years due to increased nature conservation restrictions (the share of managed forest dropped from 64% in 2019 to 56.6% in 2024), leading to a surplus of seedlings, as growing the plants takes 2–3 years. Sutt emphasized that although RMK distributed nearly 50,000 substandard plants for free in the spring, the ministry does not support large-scale free distribution to avoid unfair competition with private nurseries. In the future, the composting of substandard plants will continue, but other uses will also be considered, provided this does not interfere with the work of nursery employees.
During the debate, Peeter Ernits praised the Minister and RMK Director Mikk Marran for their swift action, which allowed the seedlings to be distributed to the public, calling the event a "Song Festival" and highlighting the Estonian people's immense hunger for spruce seedlings.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Peeter Ernits was the most active speaker, submitting an official inquiry, asking a clarifying question, and delivering an an emotional concluding speech during the debate, in which he praised the quick response of RMK (State Forest Management Centre) and the minister in saving the saplings. (misc.)
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
The Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, responded to questions from interpellators regarding the destruction of spruce seedlings, clarifying that RMK only composts non-standard plants unsuitable for forest regeneration, not high-quality seedlings. He also emphasized that the volume of felling in state forests has significantly decreased in recent years due to the increase in nature conservation restrictions, which has made planning the production volumes of nurseries complicated.
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 is appealing to the new Climate Minister to continue the discussion regarding RMK's secret long-term contracts, a topic that was current during the previous minister's term. While the National Audit Office discovered the contracts, they failed to identify the responsible individuals. She is asking the minister whether he sees the necessity of initiating a special audit to finally determine who was responsible for concluding these agreements behind closed doors.
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.