Brussels, 22/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - During a conference at the European Parliament, EU forest owners said, on Tuesday 20 March, that the European Commission proposal on the common agricultural policy (CAP) after 2013 is a “step in the right direction”, according to Copa-Cogeca.
Rural Development Policy post-2013 under the CAP is the main policy instrument to trigger the full potential of the EU's forests, which cover 40% of Europe's territory.
“But only a competitive and economically viable European forest sector is able to sustainably deliver the goods and services requested by society. The new proposal ignores the economic potential of the forest sector in its priorities and this must be improved”, MEP Elisabeth Köstinger stressed. Juha Hakkarainen, who was speaking on behalf of EU forest owners, highlighted the enhanced role forests could play in the bio-economy and for achieving the EU's renewable energy targets. “It is therefore not acceptable that the economic role of forests is not properly taken into account in the Commission's proposal. The rural development policy priorities must include a focus on achieving a competitive agriculture and forestry sector”, he said. Demands made include: - more simplification (the requirement to have forest management plans could also add additional bureaucracy and hinder the uptake of measures); - compensation for costs incurred and income foregone in forest areas concerned by environmental legislation (Habitats Directive); - and payments for eco-system services. (LC/transl.jl)