Mellanskog has submitted its formal consultation response to the Government Offices regarding the final report of the 2024 forest policy inquiry, SOU 2025:93 – A robust forest policy for active forestry. The association broadly welcomes the findings, stating that the inquiry provides strong evidence that Sweden’s long-standing forest policy framework has delivered positive outcomes for both the forestry industry and society.
According to Mellanskog, the inquiry clearly demonstrates that the principles of “freedom under responsibility,” sectoral responsibility, and strong forest ownership rights—introduced during reforms in the 1990s—have created favourable conditions for active, sustainable, and long-term forestry. These principles have supported a forest sector that supplies renewable raw materials, contributes to climate mitigation, and maintains biodiversity, while also enabling investment and generational continuity in family-owned forests.
At the same time, Mellanskog agrees with the inquiry’s conclusion that these core principles have gradually been weakened. The association points to overlapping legislation, inconsistent interpretation of regulations, and administrative uncertainty as factors that have reduced legal clarity for forest owners and limited the practical application of freedom under responsibility.
“The investigation shows with welcome clarity that freedom under responsibility has worked well,” said Peter Helander, chairman of Mellanskog. “For decades, family forestry has delivered timber, climate benefits, and biodiversity, while creating the conditions for long-term investments in Sweden’s forests.”
In its consultation statement, Mellanskog emphasises that many of the inquiry’s proposals depend on three fundamental conditions being met. First, forest owners must receive full and fair compensation when forestry activities are restricted for environmental or societal reasons. Second, decision-making processes must be legally secure, predictable, and transparent, allowing forest owners to understand their rights and obligations. Third, Mellanskog calls for a clearer knowledge requirement that places greater responsibility on authorities to justify decisions affecting forestry operations.
The inquiry also underlines that active and economically viable forestry is a prerequisite for achieving forest variation and high conservation values. Mellanskog supports this conclusion, arguing that profitability and sustainability are not opposing goals but mutually reinforcing when policy frameworks are clear and consistent.
“When the rules of the game are clear, forest owners are willing to invest with a long-term perspective,” Helander added. “It is now up to policymakers to ensure that the principle of freedom under responsibility is fully realised in future forest policy.”
Advocating for sound business conditions for family forestry is a core part of Mellanskog’s mission and a key benefit for its members. The association’s consultation response reflects the perspectives of private forest owners and has been developed and anchored through Mellanskog’s democratic organisational structure.
As Sweden considers the next steps in its forest policy, Mellanskog’s submission reinforces the industry’s call for clarity, trust, and balanced regulation—seen by many as essential to maintaining a resilient and sustainable forestry sector.
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