Meeting of the EU Nature Directors
The Meeting of the EU Nature Directors was organised on 29 – 30 September in Prague. CEPF Policy Advisor, Hélène Koch, participated the meeting which focused mostly on the recently published proposal for a nature restoration law.
During the meeting, the participants heard also about the state of implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and other related issues presented by the European Commission. Stakeholders and Member States were given the opportunity to share their views on the Nature Restoration Law. Among the participants, representative of the Natura 2000 Users Forum raised the voice of land owners, managers and users. This Forum, of which CEPF is a member, was given the opportunity to present some key considerations during the meeting. The presentation highlighted the essential role of prior and informed consent for successful implementation. “Restoration can only be successfully achieved with support from those who own and manage the land and waterways, and whose livelihoods depend on it. For the Restoration Law to work it must be realistic and contribute to socio-economic recovery and growth in rural areas” shared Ms. Valentina Siddi from FACE, on behalf of the Forum.
During the meeting, the participants also learned about the nature and biodiversity governance and best practices of nature conservation in the Czech Republic. The field trip offered an opportunity for the participants to visit a protected landscape area in České Středohoří.
Meeting of the EU Forest Directors
The Meeting of the EU Forest Directors took place on 19 – 21 October in Prague. CEPF Secretary General, Fanny-Pomme Langue, participated the meeting which had Forest Observation, Data Collection and Reporting Framework, EU Nature Restoration Law, and Deforestation and Forest Degradation Regulation on the agenda.
CEPF shared it’s views on the meeting topics in a joint statement with EUSTAFOR and Copa-Cogeca. Regarding the Forest Observation, Data Collection and Reporting Framework, the Czech Presidency organised a workshop on 14 – 16 September to contribute to the discussion on the framework, to share knowledge, and to plan the next steps.
On the last day of the meeting, a field trip was organised to the Křivoklát forest district. The participants were offered a practical demonstration of the Marteloscope plot within the Integrate project, and were presented examples of management in Křivoklátsko Forestry Park.
