The future post-2020 strategy must respect the multifunctional character of forests as well as the principle of subsidiarity, the EU Agriculture Ministers stressed on Monday 22 March.
Austria, supported by a dozen countries, criticised the fact that the European Commission wants to focus exclusively on the role of forests in carbon sequestration (see EUROPE 12681/11).
Elisabeth Köstinger, the Austrian minister, said that “some elements” of the future strategy “worry us”.
The importance of the multifunctionality of forests was underlined by several delegations, as well as the need to respect the three pillars of sustainability (environmental, social, economic).
Austria advocated for a global approach and, like Slovakia and Poland in particular (who insisted on national competences to be respected), considered that subsidiarity plays an important role.
Forests are essential to achieving the climate objectives, but other issues (such as the bioeconomy, mentioned by Finland, or the forest economy, mentioned by Poland) must be taken into account, according to the ministers.
The French minister called for a strategy that strengthens international cooperation. Forest sustainability issues must be taken into account in trade negotiations in order to better fight against imported deforestation, France added.
Fragmentation of forest policy in the implementation of the EU biodiversity strategy must be avoided, according to Belgium.
Janusz Wojciechowski, the European Commissioner for Agriculture, said that the Commission would “ stimulate the multifunctionality” of forests. The strategy will take into account local specificities, the Commissioner promised. He also mentioned reforestation actions or risk management measures.
Forests cover 43% of Europe’s territory, but they are not healthy, warned Commissioner for Environment Virginijus Sinkevičius. He pleaded for a European approach on certain issues (biodiversity loss, natural disasters, value chain). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)