The European Commission announced on Thursday 25 April in Brussels, at a major forest conference, two new initiatives in the form of support for farmers to reforest one hectare on the farm and a new programme to encourage children to plant trees in schools.
Phil Hogan suggested launching a new initiative called ‘One Hectare’ that would be supported by Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funds.
As part of their future CAP strategic plans (post-2020), Member States could have the possibility to reward farmers with farm payments for the afforestation of one hectare. “Under the condition that the afforestation is done in a biodiversity-friendly way combining climate and environmental objectives”, said Commissioner Phil Hogan. This initiative would be financed by funds from the second pillar of the CAP and could help Member States to “meet their climate and biodiversity objectives”.
Lump sum payment per hectare and per year. In order to limit the administrative burden on beneficiaries and public authorities, a flat-rate payment per year and per hectare could be offered to each farmer participating in this measure over the next 7 years. The forest plot could be marginal land or be located between large fields where biodiversity and various landscape elements would be required.
Valuable services. Phil Hogan added that a “widespread territorial distribution” of the One Hectare initiative could contribute to the creation of “valuable ecosystem services”, such as water retention or flood and soil erosion control. It would also bring significant benefits for biodiversity and could therefore be very effective in generating environmental and climate benefits. Mr Hogan stressed that the political will to implement this initiative “must come from the Member States”.
Trees for Kids. Another initiative announced is to complement the European School Fruit, Vegetables and Milk Scheme with a support scheme for tree planting in schools.
The aid scheme would be aimed at children who regularly attend primary or secondary schools in the Member States. Support could be provided for tree planting and educational measures to raise awareness among schoolchildren of the important role of forests. Community assistance could cover certain costs related to equipment, logistics or advertising.
The Trees for Kids programme, funded through the CAP, could encourage young people to become aware of the great value of our forests.
The Commissioner, who also reviewed the EU Forest Strategy (which ends in 2020) and the Bio-economy Strategy, pointed out that, despite the worrying global situation of deforestation, “forests have developed in the EU and currently cover 43% of its area”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)