To reap the full benefits of the bio-economy and step up the fight against climate change, the EU should adopt a post-2020 forest strategy with sufficient financial resources in the 2021-2027 budget framework, says the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) in an opinion adopted on 11 April.
This opinion, prepared by Finland's Ossi Martikainen, is the CoR's response to the European Commission's report on the implementation of the 2013 Forest Strategy and the roadmap presented last December to step up EU action in this area (see EUROPE 12187/8, 12163/10).
According to Mr Martikainen, “Now is a key moment for ensuring adequate financing of forestry measures as part of rural development funding in the Common Agricultural Policy”.
Stressing the key role of forests in the development of Europe's bio-economy and biodiversity as well as in the transition to a low-carbon green economy, the CoR calls for a new updated strategy for the post-2020 period. It should be prepared in consultation with Member States, regions and forestry experts, the CoR believes.
It emphasises that forest owners, forest managers and administrators - including municipalities and regional governments - have a major role to play in strengthening sustainable forest management. Regional sustainable development plans and bio-economy strategies can contribute to sustainable construction and sustainable wood products, the development of renewable energy and the promotion of entrepreneurship and SMEs in the forest sector. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)