Two-hundred demonstrate against forestry tender

Some 200 people demonstrated in front of the Ministry of Agriculture on Monday to protest a multi-billion tender for forestry work announced by the state-owned company Lesy ČR. Minister Jakub Šebesta accepted a letter from the assembly calling for the immediate cancellation of the 16-billion-crown tender and changes to the organisation of public orders and the sale of wood through the National Forestry Programme. The tender has long been criticised by parliament and ecologists, who are concerned over what they see as potential privatisation national forestry. Mr Šebesta objected to the politicisation of the issue, pointing out that the protest was being held during an election campaign.