18/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - At the Agriculture Council on Monday 17 May, Austria, Germany, Latvia and Sweden submitted a declaration in which they say that protection of forests must remain a matter reserved to member states. Any future activity by the EU in this area must, therefore, bring a clear added value, said the four countries, which were backed by several agriculture ministers (including those of the Czech Republic, Greece, Finland, Portugal, Romania and Slovakia). A conference on forest protection was held in Valsaín, Spain, on 6-7 April. The Valsaín declaration was broadly similar to the content of the Commission White Paper adopted in March. The Environment Council, on 11 June, will adopt conclusions on forest protection. (L.C./transl.rt)