Half of Hessen Forst's forest area is farmed and certified according to FSC standards, as the Rhein Main Presse reported. FSC is causing costs in the millions, the forest enterprise now complains. Furthermore, FSC does not lead to significant improvements. In their study, Hessen Forst report on economically negative effects. The Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union Germany calls this a "smear campaign". Other federal states like Rheinland-Pfalz or Baden-Württemberg report unexpectedly high benefits through the external quality assurance, according to FSC Germany.
Hessen Forst criticizes the high number of deciduous tree species the FSC demands. Apparently, this leads to a decrease in biodiversity since coniferous trees offer habitats for animals such as black woodpeckers or boreal owls. The German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) is dismissing these arguments as "embarrassing". The BUND, in turn, is not happy with the state enterprise's pushing to cultivate Douglas fir. The federal office classifies this tree species as invasive.
