CEPF welcomes the Green Paper as a step forward in the right direction to integrate sustainable forest management into EU legislation and processes. Anticipating that the feedback from the consultation will steer further development in the EU forest policy, we urge for an appropriate framework that enables the sector to cope with new challenges.

Although the competence for forest policy lies with the Members States a number of substantial EU developments influence forestry significantly. Increasing demand for the environmental functions and ecosystem services that benefit society as a whole requires shared responsibility and an appropriate framework to guarantee fair and consistent conditions for forest owners.

CEPF calls for a holistic and long term approach addressing, in a balanced way, the multiple and interrelated social, economic and environmental functions that forests provide. Furthermore, the long history of responsible investment in sustainable forest management (SFM) by the Member States as well as by family forest owners must be at the core of this debate. Recognizing and promoting SFM also ensures the continuation of the multiple and important forest functions, including valuable results rendered to the environment.

CEPF urges the EU to secure consistency and continuity in sectoral and cross-sectoral policies. Therefore we encourage continuing the debate under the auspices of existing EU forestry instruments, such as the EU Forest Strategy and EU Forest Action Plan.

Please read thr full CEPF contribution here.

Further information, Morten Thorøe at morten.thoroe@cepf-eu.org