The removal of low-quality wood unsuitable for fuel for biomass production is both commercially and ecologically beneficial.

Biomass should not be sourced from high-quality, high-value sawlogs. Political decisions regarding wood biomass should ensure this, rather than restricting good, sustainable biomass sources such as logging residues or forest management by-products. Income from low-quality or low-value wood, such as wood obtained from thinning, provides an economic incentive for landowners to actively manage their forests.

If there is no market for low-quality or low-value wood, the landowner is less motivated to invest in sustainable forestry practices, thereby worsening the overall health of forests and increasing the risk of pests, diseases, and forest fires. Introducing restrictions to reduce the use of primary wood biomass will not stop logging, which is mainly driven by specific wood product sectors.

Biomass is the EU's largest source of renewable energy. Solid biomass – wood chips, pellets, and renewable waste – accounted for 40% of final renewable energy consumption in 2020.

Solid biomass, such as wood pellets, is derived from low-quality or low-value wood sourced from actively managed forests. The sale of this wood provides a vital income stream for commercial foresters who practice sustainable forest management. However, proposed changes to the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) could have unforeseen consequences for sustainable forestry. (...)