On Tuesday 13 September, the European Parliament stressed the “multifunctional role” of forests and the importance of “ecologically healthy and resilient” forest ecosystems, which provide many services to society (preservation of biodiversity, supply of renewable raw materials) and which “contribute to job creation and economic growth in rural areas”.
The European Parliament adopted (417 votes in favour, 144 against and 67 abstentions), without amendment in plenary, the report by Ulrike Müller (Renew Europe, German) which assesses and in some cases criticises the ‘EU Forest Strategy for 2030’ as initially presented by the European Commission on 16 July 2021 (see EUROPE 12991/19).
In particular, the European Parliament stresses that measures to improve the protection and restoration of biodiversity will contribute to combating climate change and calls for sustainable forest management in the implementation of climate objectives, as it is essential to reduce deforestation and forest degradation.
Professionals welcome a “balanced” approach. In a statement, the Confederation of European Forest Owners(CEPF), Copa-Cogeca (EU agricultural organisations and cooperatives) and the European Landowners’ Organisation(ELO) welcome the “balanced” approach to sustainable forest management in the European Parliament’s position.
The European Parliament emphasises the multifunctionality of forests and recognises the importance of the three pillars (social, economic and environmental). The European Parliament “repeatedly states that the strategy and its implementation must be consistent with the work undertaken by ‘Forest Europe’ and international organisations and fully respect the principle of subsidiarity”, they note. The European Parliament insists on the central role of forest owners and managers and their need for great flexibility in their forest management practices. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)