On Tuesday 12 July, the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee stressed the importance and diversity of EU forests and called for sustainable management developed with forest owners.
The members of this committee adopted (30 votes in favour, 2 against and 10 abstentions) the report by Ulrike Müller (Renew Europe, Germany) which makes some corrections to the EU Forest Strategy for 2030 presented by the European Commission on 16 July 2021.
According to the European Commission, this strategy should contribute to the proposed package of measures to achieve at least a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality in the EU by 2050 (see EUROPE 12935/14).
Multifunctional role. Recognising the multiple ecosystem services and socio-economic functions that forests provide, including climate change mitigation and the creation of over 2 million jobs in the EU, MEPs call for a balanced implementation of the strategy in terms of the provision of all these services. Wood is the only renewable natural resource that can replace energy-intensive materials. MEPs want the EU to support a broader use of different options for wood-based substitutes. Wood-based products should be used in line with national specificities, say MEPs.
They advocate active sustainable forest management to enhance the adaptation and resilience of forest ecosystems. However, given the diversity of forests and climatic conditions in the EU, this management should be developed at national, regional and local levels.
MEPs also call for a common definition and mapping of primary and ancient forests. They propose to not support monocultures with EU funds.
The diversity of forest ownership and governance in the Member States is highlighted by MEPs. The plenary vote is expected to take place in September. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)