Logging activities in Värriö spark protest at Rovaniemi train station

The logging activities in the ancient forests of Värriö in Salla continue to spark debate. Greenpeace revealed in September that Neve Oy, an energy company owned by the City of Rovaniemi, has purchased timber from Värriö’s old-growth forests for district heating production. These forests are nearly pristine, and their trees are hundreds of years old.

On Monday, environmental activists organized a protest against the logging at the Rovaniemi train station to raise awareness among arriving passengers about the situation in Värriö’s ancient forests and the possible ways to take action. Forest owner Jukka Aula arrived at the station to hold a counter-protest, emphasizing that there are two sides to the issue. He stated, “In the case of Värriö’s common forest, the innocent must suffer. The logging sites are important revenue sources for the common forest, which has been boycotted by many buyers due to reputation damage, meaning timber isn’t selling.”

Kristian Gullsten, CEO of Neve, echoed this sentiment, stating, “I wouldn’t categorically say that all timber procurement from Värriö should cease. The common forest covers a large area and includes various types of forests, such as commercial forests.” Neve sources energy wood from 40 different suppliers, with Värriö accounting for about one percent of the total timber used by the company.

Neve’s operations are currently on hold. A sustainable forestry association has requested an external expert to evaluate the adherence to certification standards in logging areas. Activist Aino Juvonen has been leading a campaign advocating for the preservation of old-growth forests, calling on the city to ensure more sustainable heating production.

Ultimately, the protest saw more police presence than demonstrators at the Rovaniemi train station.