Poland has responded to a preliminary decision ordering logging to be halted in the Białowieża primeval forest issued by the European Court of Justice over a week ago.

The Ministry of Environment did not disclose the contents of the response, as it deems the document confidential.

However, Polish Press Agency PAP reported that the ministry said in its response that halting the logging would cause damage to the environment to the tune of PLN 3.2 billion (USD 890 mln/EUR 750 mln) and that the logging is in line with the EU's Birds and Habitats Directive.

"The Ministry of Environment (…) is only conducting actions aiming to ensure public safety in the Białowieża forest, including protective measures for endangered habitats and species," ministry spokesperson Aleksander Brzózka told Polish Radio.

The court's order was issued on July 28, after the European Commission claimed Poland was breaking European Union laws, including birds and habitats directives.

On Monday, Poland’s environment ministry said it would continue to “act”, having earlier said logging was part of a fight against a European spruce bark beetle plague which was destroying the forest. (mol/pk)

Source: PAP