Brussels, 22/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Federation of Young European Greens (FYEG) on 22 April kicked off the European week of the forest in several European countries. “The condition of European forests has again begun to deteriorate. One quarter of tree stocks are considered damaged as a result of either drought, pests or air pollution. Heavy industry, mass-transportation, acid rain and nitrogen pollution threaten the very existence of trees in Europe”, the FYEG says. “We call upon governments and the EU to save our existing forest and create new ones”, Ernest Urtasun, a FYEG spokesperson, in a communication. “We must protect not only forest areas but also the biodiversity they shelter”, explains Finnish Green Satu Hassi, who also emphasises the need to support diversity in forests both young and old and to make better use of sustainable methods in forestry. “European Forest Week should be an occasion for each person to become active in preserving and restoring our forests”, added French MEP Alain Lipietz.