New President and Vice-Presidents
After Hubert de Schorlemer’s nine years as CEPF President, members elected Sven Erik Hammar, CEPF Board member from Sweden, to lead the confederation. Mr de Schorlemer thanked the CEPF team and members for the good work during the past nine years. He said that being a President has not always been easy but it has always been possible to discuss things through. Keeping things positive despite the challenges is the key through difficult times Mr de Schorlemer stated and reminded that “We all have the same holes in the road!”.
CEPF Board member Juha Marttila from Finland gave a word to thank Mr de Schorlemer and noted that “Just like our forests also forest owners are all different. Your diplomatic work has been important to bring the forest owners together”. António Paula Soares, CEPF Board member from Portugal, echoed Mr Marttila and stated that Mr de Schorlemer’s dedication has allowed to build a strong confederation. The reality is very different than what it was in the beginning of Mr de Schorlemer’s presidency and all the policy files require strong diplomacy that he has shown. “Let’s continue the good work as we have many, many challenges ahead!” ended Mr Soares. CEPF Secretary General, Fanny-Pomme Langue thanked Mr de Schorlemer on behalf of the CEPF team and said that the team has really appreciated his support and positive attitude towards CEPF secretariat’s work.
Mr Hammar, the newly elected President thanked CEPF members for the trust to lead CEPF, “It is both a big honour and a great responsibility” he stated. “We are in times of trouble and we see EU policy threats against us, but there are also great opportunities for Europe's forest owners and together we must take advantage of these” said Mr Hammar and added that he will do his very best for the forest owners in Europe.
In addition to a new President, the General Assembly elected three Board members as Vice-Presidents: Ivo von Trotha (Germany), António Paula Soares (Portugal) and Luc Bouvarel (France).
New Board member
Olivier Bertrand, CEPF French Board member for 11 years stepped down from the board and Luc Bouvarel from France was elected to take Mr Bertrand’s seat. Mr Bertrand, who participated to nearly all Board meetings, was thanked by Mr de Schorlemer for his good work in the Board and for bringing his dualistic national European view to the organisation. Mr Bouvarel expressed that he is very happy for being elected as a Board member and to be working with the CEPF team.
The full list of CEPF Board members can be found here.
New Member
CEPF got a new member from Belgium as the General Assembly approved the application of NTF – The Rural Landowners of Wallonia to join CEPF. NTF is an organisation that represents and defends forest and farmland private owners in Wallonia (Belgium). NTF’s actions are based on sustainable management of rural land heritage, at the economic, social, environmental and cultural levels. A warm welcome NTF!
