NGOs and experts call for halting 'massive logging' in Slovakia

More than 180 experts and NGOs on Friday called on the Government of Slovakia to take immediate and decisive steps to halt the "destruction" of the last vestiges of natural mountain forests in the country, with "massive logging" and the construction of forest roads being the key problems. The signatories of the call claim that the Government and the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment are responsible for the current situation. Reacting to the petition, the Agriculture Ministry stated that it is ready to engage in an expert debate on "responsible and lasting" forest management. Meanwhile, the Environment Ministry said that it can prevent logging mainly in areas with top-level protection, while in other areas it is only possible when the forest in question is related to the protection of a precious biotope.