The European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture hopes to be able to vote in mid-July on its assessment of the EU Forest Strategy for 2030.
During a debate on Wednesday 20 April, the rapporteur on this issue, Ulrike Müller (Renew Europe, Germany), said that she had received 526 amendments which emphasise the multifunctional role of forests. And a first package of compromise amendments to her draft report was presented to the shadow rapporteurs for negotiation.
For Petri Sarvamaa (EPP, Finland), the focus should be on the EU countries’ competences in forest management. The legislative framework should build on existing tools, he said. He also referred to the voluntary measures taken by Member States. The focus should be on policy messages rather than details, Mr Sarvamaa said in summary.
Mazaly Aguilar (ECR, Spain) also insisted on respecting the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality in forest management.
Álvaro Amaro (S&D, Portugal), for his part, defended the existence of a “European forestry policy, just as we have a common agricultural policy”.
We need to strengthen the resilience of our forests, said Carmen Avram (S&D, Romania). She expressed optimism that a compromise would be found between groups on the forest issue.
Thomas Waitz (Greens/EFA, Germany) said there was a need to “improve the definition” of sustainable forest management, which dates from the last century.
Primary forests must also be protected, said a representative of the European Commission.
After the European Parliament’s committee vote in mid-July, a plenary vote in the Parliament could take place in September on the EU forest strategy, according to the rapporteur.
The new EU Forest Strategy for 2030 was presented by the European Commission on 16 July 2021 (see EUROPE 12764/1). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)