“It is no longer acceptable that these forests rich in biodiversity are razed”: a stationery blocked for several hours by an NGO

Around ten activists, their arms embedded in concrete blocks weighing more than 80 kilos, prevented between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. the entry and exit of trucks from a paper mill near Limoges, a site belonging to the American group Sylvamo, noted an AFP correspondent.

The blockade, organized by the forest protection association Canopée Forêts vivants, aimed to obtain from the management of this paper mill, which produces paper and pulp, commitments to transparency on its activities.

A “risk of harm to protected species”

“It is no longer acceptable that these forests rich in biodiversity are razed to make paper pulp,” declared the director of Canopée, Sylvain Angerand. The association considers that clearcutting and other forestry projects carried out by the company's service providers constitute a “risk of harm to protected species”.

Despite the alerts, the Sylvamo company, also established in other European countries, in North America and Latin America, “continued these projects between July and September 2026”, deplores Canopée in a press release, citing the example of “the destruction of a Barbastelle bat roost in the Creuse”.

Canopée also indicates that it filed a complaint on October 8 with the regional center specializing in environmental violations of the Limoges judicial court.

Comply with regulations relating to protected species

On Thursday morning, activists demanded that the plant's suppliers demonstrate "a minimum of diligence before any cutting in order to identify risks and prevent harm to these species and their habitats."

Canopée calls on the government to give prefects and the French Biodiversity Office (OFB) “clear instructions to enforce regulations relating to protected species and their habitats during forestry work”.

In total, more than forty trucks were unable to access the Saillat-sur-Vienne site, and many others ended up being diverted to other factory sites by the gendarmerie.

The activists lifted their blockade after obtaining an upcoming meeting from Sylvamo's management to “discuss in person” their demands. According to Mr. Angerand, the association promises to “come back” if the answers provided do not “suit” it.