30 years of commitment to family forestry in Europe
On 26 March 2026, the Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEPF) marked its 30th anniversary with a high-level event in Brussels, bringing together around 130 participants, including representatives of forest owners, EU policymakers and forest-based stakeholders from across Europe.
The milestone event marked three decades of CEPF’s commitment to representing forest owners and promoting sustainable forest management at European level, while also looking ahead to the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of Europe’s forests.
A strong opening from European leadership
The event opened with a video message from EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall, who stressed that forest owners are central to the successful implementation of the EU Forest Strategy for 2030 and the upcoming Bioeconomy Strategy, highlighting the importance of their expertise, practical experience and active engagement.
MEP Jessica Polfjärd emphasised the systemic relevance of forests for Europe’s economy, biodiversity and resilience.
In his address, CEPF President Sven-Erik Hammar reaffirmed the central role of wood as a renewable, climate-friendly resource and a cornerstone of a competitive and sustainable European bioeconomy. He also highlighted that, over the past three decades, CEPF has built a strong and constructive voice for family forestry at EU level, bringing together forest owners across Europe and positioning the organisation as both well-established and forward-looking, rooted in experience and committed to the future.
A forward-looking panel with diverse perspectives
A key highlight of the event was a high-level panel discussion featuring distinguished female speakers from across the forest and policy community. The panel brought together expertise from EU policymaking, forest ownership, youth representation and public affairs.
Participants included:
- Gaëlle Marion, European Commission (DG AGRI)
- Natalie Hufnagl-Jovy, Association of Bavarian Forest and Landowners
- Katarina Wolf, Federation of Swedish Farmers (LRF)
- Mathilde Bonvillain-Serrault, Euralia
Moderated by Damien O’Reilly, the discussion explored CEPF’s achievements, the evolution of EU forest-related policies, and the role of advocacy in Brussels.
The panel sent a strong signal on the importance of inclusive dialogue and forward-looking leadership. Discussions focused on:
- the growing impact of EU policies on forest management,
- the need for strong representation of forest owners in Brussels,
- the evolving role of advocacy in shaping balanced, evidence-based policymaking,
- and the expectations of the next generation of forest owners.
Looking ahead to 2056, panellists shared their visions for the future of CEPF and European forest policy, emphasising stability, innovation and continued recognition of the multifunctional role of forests.
Looking ahead: innovation and opportunity
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Peter Mayer, Head of the Austrian Research Centre for Forests (BFW), addressed global megatrends shaping the forest sector. He highlighted that the future of forests is promising, provided that innovation, adaptability and creativity are given the space to thrive.
Representing Europe’s forest owners
Today, CEPF represents around 16 million forest owners who manage approximately 60% of Europe’s forest area. As EU policies continue to evolve, CEPF remains committed to ensuring that the voice of family forestry is heard and that forest owners can continue to deliver sustainable, multifunctional forest management for generations to come.
The 30th anniversary was not only a moment to reflect on past achievements, but also a strong reaffirmation of CEPF’s role as a trusted partner in shaping the future of Europe’s forests.
Photo Credits: Sophie Hugon/sophiehugon.com
