zemeunvalsts.lv commentary
Concerns! Behold the new European-level justification for "anything" or "something"! Another reason for the emergence of EC "concerns" can be seen: the firm and convincing stance taken by the Finns against the European Union's poorly and unprofessionally prepared Forest Strategy 2030. Of course, this is just a theory, but... various EU and EC structures are still staffed by people with, to put it figuratively, their own "little quirks", which are so characteristic of human nature...
The European Commission reportedly has "suspicions" or "concerns" regarding the potential involvement of Finnish forestry companies in a cartel. In this regard, the EC has ordered inspections without prior notice to the companies. The inspections took place on Tuesday (yesterday) at the companies UPM and Stora Enso, as well as Metsä Fibre (Metsä Group).
The inspectors are acting on the Commission's "concerns" that Finnish pulp production companies may have been operating in breach of European Union rules, which prohibit company cartels or restrictive business practices. In a press release, however, the EC somewhat contradictorily stresses that the aforementioned inspections are a preliminary step in an investigation into suspected competition violations, which does not necessarily mean that such violations will be uncovered. Meanwhile, the EC has not disclosed the "basis for the concerns that have arisen", citing "standard practice in cases of suspected competition violations".