This week we have heard two reports that represent the clash between forestry models. On the one hand, unknown people attack the car of the cooperative Errez, which works for sustainable forestry in Aramaio. On the other hand, several entrepreneurs have destroyed an industrial eucalyptus plantation between Hernani and Arano to denounce the ecological damage these plantations cause.

The plant that entrepreneurs have put in contact perfectly reflects the logic and functioning of the prevailing capitalist forest model.

Eucalyptus was brought from Australia to Europe in the late 18th century, and in our country it began to gain importance in the 1980s; in 40 years its presence has multiplied by four. The growth of these trees is very rapid, with the possibility of cutting them to 10-15 years, allowing for short-term benefits.

The other side of the coin of this rapid growth is the ecological damage it causes in its surroundings. Eucalyptus impoverishes the earth by absorbing large amounts of nutrients and water for growth. It also reduces the biodiversity of the area and facilitates the spread of fires. As if this were not enough, the clear-cutting system used to cut eucalyptus (and pines) promotes erosion of impoverished soil and directly affects rivers.

But who protects eucalyptus and, in general, the capitalist forest model? That is to say, the forestry sector. This sector is well organized in the CAPV and has a lobby that defends its interests: Wood.

Within BaskEgur there are business associations in various areas of wood: landowners, bartenders, timber companies... and BaskEgur performs political, ideological and propaganda work to defend his interests.

Their campaigns always stress the importance of small owners in the forestry sector. But if we do some research, you can easily find the major multinationals inside them. Iberpapel and Smurfit Kappa, with a profit of 163,93 and 1,702 million euros in 2021.

These companies that have plantations all over the world do not care about the damage they cause in the medium term, because for them they are only instruments for multiplying their money: monetary plantations. Others will suffer the consequences of all these plantations.

That is why we should stop cultivating money and opt for a forestry model that meets our needs and conserves biodiversity.