Agriculture minister dismisses head of Lesy ČR (Czech Forests)

Agriculture Minister Martin Šebestyán has dismissed Dalibor Šafařík from his post as CEO of the state-run forest management company Lesy ČR, the Agriculture Ministry told the Czech News Agency. Lesy ČR manages almost half of Czechia’s forests.

Šebestyán said the dismissal was due to Lesy ČR’s role, under Šafařík’s leadership, in driving timber prices higher. “Lesy ČR has a major influence on the entire forestry sector in the Czech Republic. Under the current CEO, this has unfortunately resulted in timber prices rising to levels far above those in neighbouring countries,” he said.

The ministry will announce a selection procedure for a new director on Wednesday, with the result expected in about a month.