Polish lawmakers revive a deregulation bill that would allow private owners to cut trees without objection after 60 days, sparking alarm among environmental NGOs.
Silent‑Consent Plan
The proposal would grant a “silent consent” for tree felling after 60 days if a municipality does not object. Under the current law, a private owner still must notify the local authority, which has 21 days to inspect the tree and an additional 14 days to lodge a protest.
Legal grounds for objection include the tree’s ecological value, such as old age, cultural significance, or habitat for protected species.
Parliamentary Support
On Thursday, committees on Deregulation and Local Government voted in favor of the amendments. The bill would effectively repeal the requirement for immediate objection.
NGO Outcry and Historical Context
Environmental groups label the draft the “new Lex Szyszko,” recalling the 2017 law that removed tree‑felling reporting on private land (except for economic activity). That legislation led to massive felling, including in areas previously denied permission, and sparked protests from parties like the Civic Platform.
Greenpeace’s Aleksandra Wiktor argues that the state must protect nature and that automatic silence denies that duty.
Delays and Practical Concerns
Ecology NGOs state that long waiting periods are uncommon; many offices meet the 21‑day inspection deadline. Delays would stem from staffing shortages and lack of specialists able to identify difficult species.
They propose better resourcing for municipal offices rather than automating consent after 60 days.