Latvia considers changes in tree felling permits outside forests / Article

Landowners in towns and villages must apply for a permit from the municipality before they can cut trees outside the forest. Currently, this is required if the tree stump is more than 20 centimeters in diameter. But under the amendments, only larger trees – from 35 centimeters in diameter – will require a permit.

Lelda Pamovska, senior expert at the Forest Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, explained that the changes were proposed in line with the government’s mandate to reduce the administrative burden. 

The Latvian Fund for Nature, on the other hand, has drawn attention to the risks of felling valuable trees, which could have an impact on the overall environment and landscape if only much larger trees are subject to permits. Lelde Eņģele, an expert from the organization, pointed out that it was not clear what the calculations were based on, as it was not a matter of a few centimetres. She also said that there have been no discussions or working groups in the Ministry where all stakeholders have come together to assess these tree size calculations with experts.

“Quite a lot of older trees will now need a permit to be felled, and those trees that needed a permit now will be able to be felled without a permit. The worst thing is that these amendments have not been discussed, all the stakeholders have not come together, [..]. For example, from a biological point of view, a tree with a diameter of 20-25 centimetres is already considered to be a tree of natural value, so that diameter was chosen for a reason,” said  Eņģele.

The approval of tree felling permits now applies not only to properties in towns and villages, but also to roadsides and alleys. The Fund is concerned that with these changes, road owners will also be able to cut down avenues of younger trees without consent.

The public consultation has now received both favorable and unfavorable contributions, but residents can still take part in the consultation on the amendments throughout Tuesday.

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