Leader of Finland’s Green Party Sofia Virta. LEHTIKUVA
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Sofia Virta, leader of Finland’s Green Party, has admitted to providing incorrect information about logging activities on forest land partly owned by her partner. She told Yle that her earlier comments were based on a misunderstanding of forestry terminology.
Virta initially denied reports of large-scale clear-cutting in her partner’s forest in Naantali, following a tabloid article that claimed nearly 30 hectares had been felled. In a Facebook post, she stated that only three hectares had been affected.
The publication later corrected the figure, but further reporting by Iltalehti and Seiska revealed that more extensive logging had occurred. Official documents showed that around 10 hectares of forest had been subject to final felling operations, known in Finnish as päätehakkuu.
Virta told Yle that she misunderstood the scope of activities involved. “I have commented on this issue with incomplete information and during a busy campaign period,” she said. “I did not intentionally mislead anyone.”
She said her partner had informed her that the area had been subject to three hectares of clear-cutting (avohakkuu) and around seven hectares of shelterwood and seed tree cuttings (suojus- ja siemenpuuhakkuut). Virta said she did not realise these were also classified as final fellings.
“I used the term ‘päätehakkuu’ incorrectly out of ignorance. I should have only referred to ‘avohakkuu’ when correcting the tabloid’s false claim — and I raise my hand to acknowledge the error,” she wrote in a response to Yle.
In Finnish forestry, final fellings typically involve the removal of most large trees in a given area. Shelterwood and seed tree methods are technically final fellings under forestry regulations, even if some trees are left standing to aid regeneration or pest control.
Virta stressed that she has no ownership stake in the land and was not involved in the decisions regarding logging. Her partner Atte Ailio confirmed to Iltalehti that final fellings covered approximately 10 hectares.
The admission has drawn scrutiny due to the Green Party’s longstanding opposition to large-scale logging practices. The party has called for stricter forest protection and has repeatedly criticised clear-cutting.
The incident has sparked debate over the party’s credibility and the clarity of its messaging on environmental issues. It also highlights the complexity of Finnish forestry classifications, which can confuse even seasoned policymakers.
Virta did not respond to further questions regarding how the misunderstanding occurred or whether additional checks were made before her public statements.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
