EC may ask for court injunction on tree felling in Šumava.

The EC may ask for a preliminary court injunction to ban the cutting of bark-beetle-infested trees in the Šumava National Park. A spokesman for EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik told the Czech Press Agency on Monday that the EC has asked the Czech Republic to stop felling spruces in the park and addressed a letter with reservations and questions to Prague in mid-June, but has to receive a response. Brussels, he said, is monitoring the situation and will take legal steps if necessary. Lumberjacks began felling trees again on Monday in one of the infested localities.