Apr 26, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. The timber industry lobby is pushing for anti-monopoly watchdog UOKiK to inspect state forest administrator National Forests (LP), claiming it hiked wood prices for no reason. The Polish Economic Chamber for The Timber Industry claims National Forests abuses its monopolist position as a timber supplier. The government agency did not react to the lobby's pleas to lower prices. "The reaction was very weak, prices went down only in two regions of the country," the chamber's director Bogdan Czemko said. The lobby also claims that National Forests discriminates against some companies as only two foreign firms were able to sign long term contracts with LP, on more favorable conditions than the other firms. The timber industry is suffering from a crisis in 2005, as the Polish zloty is strong, trimming all exporters' profits, and at the same time LP hiked their prices. Prices of wood products on the home market were much lower than for exports.