COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 18.11.1998 
COM(1998) 649 final 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 
TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 
ON 
A FORESTRY STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION 
Contents 
Introduction 
I. CERTAIN FORESTRY CHALLENGES FACING THE EU 
1. General remarks 
- Forest resources 
- Structure and competitiveness of EU Forest-based industries 
- European forest diversity 
- Threats to forests 
2. Sustainably managed forests provide vital services to nature and society 
3. Key issues 
H. A COMMON STRATEGIC APPROACH FOR THE COMMUNITY 
AND THE MEMBER STATES 
1. Common objective and guiding principles of the Strategy 
2. What role for the European Union? 
3. The role of the Member States 
HI. THE COMMUNITY ACTION FRAME 
A. INTRODUCTION 
B. EXISTING ACTIONS AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT 
1. Existing Regulations relating to CAP structural and accompanying 
measures 
2. The Community Scheme for the Protection of Forests against 
Atmospheric Pollution 
3. Forest fires 
4. Establishing a European Forestry Information and Communication 
System (Efics) 
5. The Internal Market and EU trade 
6. The EU forest-based industries 
7. Community support for forestry research 
8. Development Cooperation 
9. International cooperation at pan-European and global level 
10. Coordination 
C. FORESTRY MEASURES UNDER AGENDA 2000 
1. Support for the Member States in their efforts to achieve sustainable 
forest management 
2. Pre-accession measures 
D. SPECIFIC ITEMS RELATING TO FORESTRY 
1. Conservation of forest biodiversity 
2. Wood as a source of energy 
3. Climate change 
4. Forest certification 
E. CONCLUSION 
Introduction 
On the basis of the second paragraph of Article 138b of the EC Treaty, on 
31 January 1997 the European Parliament approved a resolution1 on the European 
Union's forestry strategy calling on the Commission to put forward "a legislative 
proposal on European forestry strategy" in accordance with a number of 
considerations and recommendations. 
This communication has two aims: 
— to present a coherent outline for a forestry strategy for the European Union; 
— to respond to the European Parliament's request while taking account of the 
opinions handed down by the Economic and Social Committee2 and the Committee 
of the Regions3; 
This strategy should be considered within the scope of the principles and commitments 
adopted at international level and in particular within the framework of the UN 
Conference on Environment and Development4 (e.g. the Kyoto Protocol on Climate 
Change) and the pan-European Conferences on the Protection of Forests5. 
The EU forestry strategy is based on the recognition of the diversity of Europe's 
forests, their multifunctional role and the need for ecological, economic and social 
sustainability6. 
I. Certain forestry challenges facing the European Union 
1. General remarks 
Forest resources 
Forests are estimated to cover around 3 500 million hectares (ha) or 27% of the 
world's total land area. More than 60% of the world's forests are located in seven 
countries, namely Russia, Brazil, Canada, the US, China, Indonesia and the Congo 
(formerly Zaire). 
The European continent has nearly 215 million ha of forests and other wooded land, 
accounting in total for nearly 30% of the continent's land area. The forest area'is 
A4-0414/96 (OJ C 55, 24.2.1997, p. 22) 
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee of 24 April 1997 on "The situation and problems 
of forestry in the European Union and potential for developing forestry policies" (OJ C 206, 
7.7.1997, p. 128) 
CoR 268/97 final - Opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 19 November 1997 on 
"Management, use and protection of forests in the EU" (OJ No C 64, 27.2.1998, p. 25) 
UNCED, Rio de Janeiro 1992. 
Strasbourg (1990), Helsinki (1993) and Lisbon (1998). 
For Europe,,the concept of sustainable forest management was defined in 1993 at the pan-
european Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe as follows: "the 
stewardship and use of forests and forest lands in a way, and at a rate, that maintains their 
biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality and their potential to fulfil, now and in 
the future, relevant ecological, economic and social functions, at local, national and global 
levels, and that does not cause damage to other ecosystems". 
currently stable or even increasing and is characterised by a huge variety of climatic, 
geographic, ecological as well as socio-economic conditions. 
The EU has a total forest area of 130 million ha, accounting for about 36% of its total 
land mass. Some 87 million ha are considered exploitable forests (managed for wood 
production and non-wood goods and services). 
In comparison with the vast boreal and tropical forests of other regions of the world, 
the EU's forest resources may seem unimportant at first glance. However, following 
the accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden, the EU has become the world's second 
largest paper and sawnwood producer, its foremost importer of forest products and 
third largest exporter of forest products. 
Structure and competitiveness of EU Forest-based industries 
• The forest-based industries consist of woodworking industries, that is inter alia 
sawmilling, wood-based panels, wooden building components and wooden 
packaging; pulp, paper and board production and their converting; as well as, 
further down-stream, printing and publishing. 
• This industry is characterised by global, regional and local companies, including 
some big, globally present multi-nationals as well as hundreds of thousands of 
small- and medium-sized enterprises, mostly privately owned. 
• Altogether, the EU forest-based industries' production value amounts to close to 
300 billion ECU, which represents 10 % of the total for all manufacturing. 
According to official statistics these industries directly employ some 2.2 million 
people, in all parts of the Union. 
• The EU is the biggest trader and second biggest consumer of forest products in the 
world, with a positive trade balance overall. However, within this context, the EU is 
a net importer of raw materials, mainly roundwood, mostly from the CEECs and 
CIS, and woodpulps from N. and S. America and other regions having high growth 
rates and low costs in timber growing. Within certain sectors where there is a 
particularly high level of domestic supply and for some,, the EU is a prominent 
exporter, especially for the more highly value-added products. 
• The EU industry achieves advantage by using both fresh raw material (virgin fibre) 
and recovered wood and paper. 
• The EU forest-based industries depend in certain areas on a fragmented forest 
resource which, with other disadvantages, are tending to make EU wood less 
competitive than that from elsewhere. 
• Thus, to be competitive in the future, the EU forest-based industries must assure a 
secure and competitive raw material supply and strive for continuous specialisation, 
quality and innovation, supported by R&D. 
Thus, it can be seen that the forestry sector is an enormously important one for the EU 
in economic terms. 
European forest diversity 
There is a wide variety of forest types as defined in terms of their bio-climatic and soil 
conditions. Their ecological characteristics can be divided into numerous vegetation 
zones, ranging from the sub-Mediterranean zone to the Arctic belt and from coastal 
plains to the Alpine zone. 
Forestland in the EU is 65% privately owned. As there are about 12 million private 
forest owners in the EU, privately owned forests tend predominantly therefore to be 
highly fragmented into small plots and most holdings are smaller than five hectares. 
Ownership, however, varies widely within the Community. In Greece and Ireland, the 
State owns about two thirds of forestland, while in Belgium, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, 
France and Germany, local communities play an important role as forest owners. 
Threats to forests 
Apart from deforestation as a result of urban and industrial uses and the creation of 
large-scale infrastructures, forests are also exposed to serious threats from air 
pollution, fires, climatic change, and attacks from parasites and diseases. Such threats 
can seriously upset and even destroy forest ecosystems. Between 350 000 and 500 000 
ha of forests are destroyed by fire in the EU every year. Air pollution, on the other 
hand, is reducing tree vitality and it is estimated that about one third of Europe's 
forests are visibly affected by air pollution. 
2. Sustainablv managed forests provide vital services to nature and society. 
Traditionally, the foremost function of forests is considered to be their use as a 
regenerative source of timber and other products, such as resin, cork, mushrooms and 
berries : this is known as the raw-material function of forests. Besides their economic 
role, forests offer many other benefits which could be regarded as useful to society. 
Increasing leisure time, for instance, has made the recreational use of forests important 
socially7. Environmental aspects associated with forests' protective functions, like 
biodiversity, local and regional climates, water and soil protection, are highly valued. 
In mountain areas, avalanche control and protection against erosion8 are additional 
functions. Over the last decade, the role of forests in the fixation of carbon oxides has 
grown in importance9. Because forests generally perform several of these functions, 
their value is best illustrated by their multifunctionality. That means for example that in 
a forest essentially providing soil protection but which is also important for 
biodiversity and recreation, selective timber harvesting can be performed without any 
loss of the forest's functions. 
3. Key issues 
The major concerns in relation to forestry are: 
— the promotion of the development of the forestry sector as a contribution to rural 
development and in particular to the creation and preservation of jobs in rural areas, 
- the protection of our natural environment and our forest heritage (e.g. soil 
protection, erosion control, water regulation, improvement of air quality, carbon 
In the Nordic Countries, for example, it is estimated that at least 400 million visits a year are made 
to forests. 
In Mediterranean forests catchments soil erosion varies from 2-3 tons/ha/year while on bare soils it 
goes up to 20 to 30 t/ha/year. 
The Dobris report points out that European Forests contain about 2.8 Gt of carbon in trees and 
litter, plus 3-4 Gt of C in forest soil. 2.8 Gt of carbon is the amount of carbon emitted from fossil 
fuels in the EU about 4 years. 
sequestration, prevention of climate change, protection of natural habitats and 
biodiversity) and the restoration of damaged forests, 
the maintenance of the social and recreational functions of forests, 
the improvement of ecological, economic and social sustainable forest management 
within the framework of the internal market, and in line with the Union's 
international obligations, including WTO compatible trade rules, 
support for international and pan-European cooperation to protect forests at 
European level and globally (see below), in particular to avoid forest destruction in 
other parts of the world which could have long-term implications for the 
sustainability of forests and the environment of the world, 
the fulfilment of the targets of the 5th Environmental Action Programme and the 
protection of forests against deforestation, forest fires and atmospheric pollution. 
promoting the role of forests as carbon trapping mechanisms and wood products as 
carbon sinks, especially in the post-Kyoto climate change debate, 
promoting environmental virtues of wood and other forest products, 
assuring the competitiveness of the EU forest-based industries. 
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and its follow-up 
The UN Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 has given 
forests an increasingly important role in the context of sustainable development and environmental 
conservation. The concept of sustainable forest management has been recognised as a fundamental 
guiding principle by all participating countries. The following commitments are of particular 
importance: 
• the non-legally binding authoritative statement of principles for a global consensus on the 
management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests; 
• Chapter 11 of Agenda 21 (combating deforestation) with four main principles: 
- sustaining the multiple roles and functions of all types of forests, forestlands and woodlands; 
- enhancing the protection, sustainable management and conservation of all forests, and the 
greening of degraded areas, through forest rehabilitation, afforestation, reforestation and other 
means of rehabilitation; 
- promoting efficient utilisation and assessment to recover the full valuation of the goods and 
services provided by forests, forestlands and woodlands; 
- establishing and/or strengthening capacities for the planning, assessment and systematic 
observation of forests and related programmes, projects and activities, including commercial 
trade and processes; 
• the Conventions on Biological Diversity on Desertification and on Climate Change as well as their 
Protocols and Work Programmes (e.g. the Kyoto Protocol). 
This global process on sustainable development needs to be taken into account when devising an EU 
forestry strategy, in particular by: 
- implementing forest-related commitments resulting from this process at European level; 
- contributing to overall sustainable development in forest development cooperation through the 
implementation of the IPF (International Panel on Forests) proposals; 
- continuing the policy dialogue on forests at international level with the aim of negotiating a 
legally binding instrument on all types of forests ; 
The pan-European process on Protection of Forests 
The Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of Forests in Europe constitute a major initiative in the 
process of cooperation amongst European countries (38 European countries as well as the European 
Community) to contribute to the protection and sustainable management of European forests. They 
represent a joint response and a political commitment by the countries of Europe to the sustainable 
management and conservation of forest resources, as suggested in Agenda 21 and in the non-legally 
binding "Forest Principles" adopted at UNCED, taking into account the specific conditions and needs 
of Europe' s forests. 
The resolutions adopted by the countries of Europe and the European Union at the conferences held in 
Strasbourg (1990), Helsinki (1993) and Lisbon (1998) are: 
S1: European network of permanent sample plots for the monitoring of forest ecosystems 
S2: Conservation of forest genetic resources 
S3: Decentralised European data bank on forest fires 
S4: Adapting the management of mountainous forests to new environmental conditions 
S5: Expansion of the EUROSILVA Network of research on tree physiology 
S6: European network for research into forest ecosystems 
HI: General guidelines for the sustainable management of forests in Europe 
H2: General guidelines for the conservation of the biodiversity of European forests 
H3: Forestry cooperation with countries with economies in transition 
H4: Strategies for a process of long-term adaptation of forests in Europe to climate change 
LI: People, Forests and Forestry: enhancement of the socio-economic aspects of sustainable forest 
management 
L2: Pan-European criteria, indicators and operational level guidelines for sustainable forest 
management 
The resolutions cover the main points for the protection, conservation and sustainable development of 
Europe's forests and lay down guidelines for achieving those three objectives, including the 
implementation of objectives stemming from the Convention on Biological Diversity. The 
comprehensive nature of the resolutions is a major reason why the European Parliament has 
emphasised the importance of the pan-European process in relation to the EU forestry strategy. 
II. A common strategic approach for the Community and the Member States 
1. Common objective and guiding principles of the Strategy 
The overall objective of the EU forestry strategy should be to strengthen sustainable 
forest development and management as stated in the "Forest Principles" adopted by 
the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and as defined in the 
resolution adopted at the pan-European Ministerial Conferences on Protection of 
Forests (mentioned before). This approach should be defined in and implemented 
through national or subnational forest programmes or equivalent instruments applied 
by the Member States and, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, through 
action taken by the European Community where there is an added value to be gained 
therefrom. 
A forestry strategy for the Union should comply with the following guiding principles: 
- it should further the objectives of the Community policies; 
- it should contribute to the implementation of international commitments entered 
into by the Member States and the Union; 
- it should entail a flexible approach, based in particular on the principle of 
subsidiarity; 
- it should operate in accordance with the principles of free movement of goods and 
free competition, as well as avoid any distortion of competition; 
- it should enhance the competitiveness of the EU's forestry sector, including forestry 
and forest-based industries, 
- it should contribute to enhance the potential for wealth generation and rural and 
industrial employment within a sustainable society, particularly in many rural areas 
having few economic alternatives, 
- it should further the principle of integration of sustainable development and 
environment protection in forest-related policies. 
2. What role for the European Union? 
The Treaties on European Union make no provision for a comprehensive common 
forestry policy. The management, conservation and sustainable development of forests 
are nevertheless vital concerns of existing common policies like the CAP and the rural 
development, environment, trade, internal market, research, industry, development 
cooperation and energy policies. 
The bases for action under existing responsibilities in accordance with the terms of the 
Treaty are as follows: 
• with their many functions, forests are essential to rural areas and constitute a 
major component of an integrated rural development policy, particularly because 
of their contribution to income and employment and their ecological and social 
value; 
• forests and their diversity are an important part of the European natural 
environment and their protection and conservation falls within the scope of a 
number of Community policies and is the subject in particular of specific 
environmental issues such as the EU Biodiversity Strategy, Natura 2000 and the 
implementation of the Climate Change Convention; 
• for forest products, and in particular wood (as well as cork and resins), the rules 
of the Internal Market apply, including the normal EU competition rules on state 
aids, mergers and cartels. 
A number of important actions within existing Community policies have a considerable 
impact on forests. On the other hand, direct and indirect linkages exist between 
Community and national forestry policies. The Community therefore has a vital role to 
play in achieving the objectives laid down by the Member States and the Community in 
the framework of the strategy. 
3. The role of the Member States 
In line with the principle of subsidiarity, the Member States are responsible for 
planning and implementing national forest programmes or equivalent instruments10. 
These programmes are essential instruments in the implementation of the principles laid 
down at the UN Conference on Environment and Development, the proposals for 
action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) the resolutions adopted under 
the pan-European conferences held in Strasbourg, Helsinki and Lisbon as well as 
Member States' initiatives in the context of international Conventions (such as those 
on Climate Change, Biological Diversity, Desertification, and Transboundary Air 
Pollution) and the 5th Environmental Action Programme. 
PI. The Community action frame 
A. Introduction 
While taking into account the existing Community actions related to forestry, the 
Community legislative action frame for the EU forestry strategy is based above all on 
two Commission proposals in the context of Agenda 2000: the proposal for a new 
regulation on support for Rural Development11 and the proposal for a regulation on 
Community support for pre-accession measures for agriculture and rural development 
in the applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe12. This proposed legal 
framework together with the existing actions constitute the Commission's response to 
the Parliamentary initiative. 
The present Communication does not cover the evaluation of forest measures 
conducted in the past. An appraisal of the forestry measures has been presented, for 
National or sub-national forest programmes provide a global framework within which to address 
forestry issues in the context of sustainable forest management. They are tools for the planning, 
implementing and monitoring of forestry and forest-related activities and provide an environment 
for the concerted and coordinated implementation of programmes and activities by all interested 
parties on the basis of mutually agreed objectives and strategies. 
example, in the report on the application of Regulation (EEC) No 2080/92 relating to 
forestry measures in agriculture13, the recently published reports on the health of 
forests14, and the report on the Community information system on forest fires15. 
Various assessments of practical programmes managed by the Structural Funds have 
also been undertaken. 
B. Existing actions and their development 
1. Existing Regulations relating to CAP structural and accompanying measures 
The continuation of the following forestry measures is the subject of the Commission 
proposal on rural development in the context of Agenda 2000 and they are therefore 
mentioned under Section C. 1: 
• Forestry measures in agriculture16 seek to promote afforestation as an alternative 
use for agricultural land and the development of forestry activities on farms. This 
horizontal measure is part of the CAP accompanying measures (EAGGF Guarantee 
Section). In total, between 1993 and 1997, over 500.000 ha of agricultural land 
were afforested, and around 26.000 farmers have taken advantage of the scheme to 
improve their existing woodlands through new investments. 
While stressing that it was premature to draw any firm conclusions after the short 
implementation period, the report mentioned before on the application of the 
regulation formulated some positive observations in relation to the fixed objectives 
of the regulation, as regards for example : 
- the contribution of the scheme to rural development by encouraging pluriactivity, 
a dynamic approach to land use and proper maintenance of the countryside, 
although afforestation probably had only a small impact on reducing surplus 
agricultural production; 
- the generation of a number of positive environmental effects such as preventing 
erosion and desertification, encouraging biodiversity and regulating the 
hydrological regime; 
- the contribution of the regulation to overall regional planning policy and national 
forestry policy objectives. 
• The scheme to develop and optimally utilise woodlands in rural areas17 includes a 
wide range of forestry measures to promote the economic, ecological and social 
functions of forests as part of the operational programmes under Objectives 1, 5(b) 
and 6. Furthermore, the regional development measures in Objectives 1 and 2 areas 
may include actions related to the forest sector. The Community is assisting the 
COM (1998)158 final - Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on support for Rural Development 
from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (OJ C 170 , 4.6.1998, 
P- 67) 
COM (1998) 153 final (OJ C 150, 16.5.1998, p. 14) 
Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the application of 
Regulation (EEC) No 2080/92 instituting a Community aid scheme for forestry measures in 
agriculture (COM(97)630 final, 28.11.1997). 
Forest Condition in Europe, 1998 Executive Report, ISSN 1020-587X 
Forest Fires in the South of the European Union 1989-1993, ISBN 92-827-5369-7 
Council Regulation (EEC) No 2080/92 (OJ L 215, 30.7.1992, p. 96) 
Council Regulation (EEC) No 1610/89 (OJ L 165, 15.6.1989, p. 3) 
10 
• regions by a wide range of measures such as the creation and improvement of 
nurseries, soil and water conservation measures, the extension and restoration of 
woodlands in areas at risk from soil erosion and flooding, the reconstitution of 
woodland damaged by fires or other natural causes, silvicultural and infrastructural 
improvements and start-up aid for forest management associations. Priority is given 
to regional programmes in areas where the promotion of silviculture may help in 
improving the economy of the area concerned, where soil and water conservation 
and measures to combat erosion play a major role, or where the social and 
recreational function of the woodland is particularly important. 
The development of the forestry sector by improving the processing and marketing 
conditions for forestry products18 provides for support in the framework of 
Objective 5(a) for forestry operations upstream of industrial processing. The 
operations concerned are for example felling, dismembering, stripping, cutting up, 
storage, protective treatment and drying. The financing of investments is directed 
preferably to those concerning small and medium-sized undertakings the 
restructuring and rationalization of which may contribute to the improvement and 
economic development of the agricultural and rural environment. 
2. The Community Scheme for the Protection of Forests aeainst Atmospheric 
Pollution19 
Using a suitable observation network, this measure establishes a uniform periodic 
inventory of damage caused to forests. The inventory provides information on the 
extent and development of forest condition deterioration in the various regions of the 
European Union. Furthermore, an intensive monitoring system in the form of a 
European network of permanent observation plots for monitoring forest ecosystems 
aims to contribute to a clearer understanding of the impact of air pollution and other 
factors on forest ecosystems thanks to the collection of accurate data on the extent and 
development of a number of forest pollutants, together with detailed information on 
basic ecological parameters. The European Commission and UN/ECE publish a report 
annually on the health of Europe's forests. The 1998 Executive Report on Forest 
Condition in Europe notices a steady increase in defoliation over large areas of 
Europe, which is influenced mainly by air pollution and longs periods of drought, 
especially in southern Europe. 
This scheme should further develop, on the basis of a scientific review, the framework 
for a feasible monitoring system which is at the sharp edge of work in this area and 
which covers the range of potential impacts such as air pollution, climate change, 
diseases, pests or other stress factors on forest ecosystems. It should also provide a 
sound database for decision-makers and for research to improve the protection of 
forest ecosystems. 
In 1999 the Commission intends to organise a workshop bringing together scientific 
experts and other interested parties, with a view to preparing a critical review of the 
current state of knowledge and experience in this field and to open up new prospects 
for amending the existing legislation in the year 2001. One of the main aims of the 
workshop will be to streamline future activities in the field of intensive monitoring to 
18 Council Regulation (EEC) No 867/90 (OJ L 91, 6.4.1990, p. 7) 
19 Council Regulation (EEC) No 3528/86 (OJ L 326, 21.11.1986, p. 2) 
11 
obtain a clearer understanding of the impact of air pollution and other stresses on 
forests and forest ecosystems in Europe and by thus also contributing to the 
implementation of IPF proposals for action (No 50). 
Directive 96/62/EC on ambient air quality assessment and management provides a 
framework for the measurement, reporting and improvement of air quality in the EU. 
Local and regional action plans to comply with the limit values are required. There are 
plans for a regular assessment of air quality, including air in forests, as an important 
instrument for local authorities. Forests are expressly mentioned in Annex II to the 
Directive as a factor to be taken into account when limit values and alert thresholds are 
set. Assessment of data of the impact on forests of air pollutants, particularly ozone, is 
therefore important and needs to be coordinated with existing activities, especially 
under Council Regulation (EEC) No 3528/86 and Commission Regulation (EC) 
No 1091/94. 
3. Forest fires20 
Forest fires constitute a major factor endangering sustainable development in nearly 
half of the EU's forests. The Union is currently part-financing forest-fire prevention 
measures within the framework of the rural development policy and through the 
specific Community action to protect forests against fires. 
This action underpins the efforts of the Member States to prevent forest fires, while 
ensuring at the same time that forestry measures with support from other sources, such 
as rural development in areas subject to fire risk, are linked with protection systems 
through the implementation of global forest-fire protection plans. 
The Cohesion Fund also provides assistance for the rehabilitation of forest areas 
destroyed by fire with the environmental objective of preventing erosion and ensuring 
water regulation. 
The specific action to protect forest against fires will be continued and strengthened in 
view of the positive impact it has had on the effectiveness of protective measures and 
the importance of providing for a coherent scheme to protect existing forests and new 
plantations. 
Special attention will be paid to close cooperation with the experts of the Standing 
Forestry Committee and will rely in particular on the Community information system 
on forest fires. This system enables fire-prevention measures to be assessed more 
precisely and priorities to be redefined, where required; in the framework of the 
follow-up to the pan-European Conferences on the Protection of Forests in Europe 
and of the implementation of the IPF proposals for action (No 46) the system also 
contributes towards the development of international cooperation, both at pan-
European level and throughout the Mediterranean countries. 
20 Council Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 (OJ L 217, 31.7.1992, p. 3) 
12 
4. Establishing a European Forestry Information and Communication System 
(Efics}21 
This measure which was last amended by Council regulation 1100/98 along the lines of 
the Parliament's resolution concentrates on achieving the following objectives: 
— improving the quality of, and encouraging the changes required in, national forest 
inventories so they can fulfil information needs with a view to reporting on 
sustainable forest management, in close cooperation with the members of the 
Informal Intersecretariat Working Group (representatives of the Commission, 
Eurostat, UN-ECE, FAO, OECD and ITTO22). Special emphasis should be placed 
on the provision of objective, comparable data based on pan-European criteria and 
indicators and on forest ownership structure within the Union. 
In addition, efforts will be made to investigate the practical application of remote 
sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) techniques, especially in the 
provision of spatial data as a source of information complementing more 
conventional statistics, in order to obtain standardised information on forests in 
Europe; 
— obtaining information and achieving better communication by setting up an EU 
database containing all relevant information about Community measures relating to 
forestry as well as basic information on Member States' national or subnational 
forest policies and programmes; 
— carrying out information gathering and analysis of the future development of the 
forestry sector with respect to trade, industry, employment and environmental 
issues. 
These actions will contribute to the implementation of IPF proposals (No 89). 
5. The Internal Market and EU trade 
Forestry and forest-based commercial activities are part of the open sector of the 
economy, and the production of timber, as the main commercial function, is guided 
primarily by market forces. 
The EU forestry sector cannot be considered in isolation from those of other countries. 
Any measures must be compatible with our international trade obligations as well as 
subject to any other commitments to which the EU is signatory. In particular, the 
WTO provisions on international trade, including trade arid environment issues, apply 
to the trade of all forest products with third countries. 
Fiscal measures and public aid for forestry are devised and implemented by the 
Member States; any aid granted by Member States to the forestry sector must be 
compatible with the rules of the common market and must be notified to the 
Commission. EU support for forestry is in general based on financial contributions 
within the framework of aid systems established by the Member States under their 
forestry policies and programmes; such support must respect market-based discipline 
and ensure the effective functioning of competition policy. 
Council Regulation (EEC) No 1615/89 (OJ L 165, 15.6.1989, p. 12) 
International Tropical Timber Organization. 
13 
A number of legal instruments established at EU level influence commercial activities 
relating to the forestry sector. In particular these are: 
- technical and environmental standards for forest products, which seek to improve 
the operating conditions for forestry and forest industries inside the Community and 
to remove any market distortion and obstacles; 
- common rules on the quality and marketing of forest reproductive material, which 
help to ensure high quality in forest reproductive material in the Community; the 
Commission will shortly be putting a proposal for a new directive to the Council; 
- plant-health controls: the Community is playing an increasingly active role in the 
protection of the health and vitality of forest ecosystems through its responsibility 
for preventing plant-health risks deriving from imports of timber in the rough from 
non-member countries. 
The Commission considers that the current and proposed Community measures permit 
the commercial exploitation of forests within the framework of the single market and is 
not therefore suggesting any new initiatives in this context. 
6. The EU forest-based industries 
As far as the EU forest-based industries are concerned, the EU industry wants to 
contribute to the sustainable development of the whole forestry sector by maintaining 
its competitiveness vis-a-vis other materials within global competition and the 
challenges brought about by environmental goals, whilst taking advantage of the 
opportunity offered by the Information Society. 
The main action points for the EU forest-based industries will be addressed in a 
separate, forthcoming Communication to Council and Parliament on the sustainable 
competitiveness of the EU forest-based industries. 
7. Community support for forestry research 
In the Fourth Framework Programme for RTD (1994-1998), research activities on 
forestry are essentially carried out by the specific programme, "Agriculture and 
Fisheries (including agro-industry, food technologies, forestry, aquaculture and rural 
development)" (FAIR). In addition, a number of other specific RTD programmes and 
actions are also dealt with issues relevant to forestry namely: the Environment and 
Climate programme, the Co-operation with Third Countries and International 
Organisations (INCO) programme, COST (Cooperation on Science and Technology) 
actions, Training and Mobility of Researchers and Technology Stimulation Measures 
forSMEs. 
With respect to the FAIR programme, the objectives are 
i) to strengthen the competitiveness of the European forest sector by improving, 
consolidating and harmonising research activities in Europe and 
ii) to support the protection, development and exploitation of European forests and 
the Union's commitment to sustainable multifunctional management of forests. 
The concept of forestry-wood chain is introduced and implemented under the FAIR 
programme. Projects in this field have evolved from relatively small in size and budget, 
14 
solving specific problems along the "chain", to integrated ones aiming at optimising the 
efficiency and productivity of the entire "production and processing chain" and 
matching the sustainable production of forest resources to industrial and market needs 
and requirements. 
Concerning the multifunctional management of forests, the priority is essentially put 
on: 
- The socio-economic situation of the forestry sector and the policies applied therein; 
the prospects for supply and demand in the short, medium and long-term. 
- The functioning of forestry ecosystems and the interaction between forestry and 
ecosystems. 
- The impact of natural hazards and human activities; the causes of forest dieback, the 
adaptive capacity of forests, forestry protection, and the restoration of damaged 
forests. 
- The sustainable and multifunctional management of forests, analysis, methods and 
suitable indicators, the appropriate afforestation, management and exploitation 
techniques and methods, the genetic improvement of trees for better growth, 
resistance and quality, and the optimisation of agro-forestry systems. 
- Support for cork production through genetic improvement and the improvement of 
production, management, health protection and exploitation techniques. 
The Environment and Climate programme contributes to forest research with the 
emphasis of forest issues linked with environmental concern. Besides fundamental 
ecosystem research, the impact of air pollution, climate change, fertilisation effects on 
European forests have been investigated. Management strategies for the conservation 
of carbon stores in forests have been developed and the effects of land-use change 
practices have been assessed by using remote sensing tools and other advanced 
technologies. 
Research cooperation on tropical forestry, cooperation with third countries and 
international organisations will be subject of a future communication from the 
Commission on development and cooperation (see chapter 8). 
As to the future, in April 1997 the Commission has put forward a proposal for the 
Fifth Framework Programme for RTD, which will take over during the period 1998-
2002. As stated in the proposal, European research should be made more efficient and 
directed towards meeting social and economic needs. The concept of "Key Action" is 
introduced as a major research support carrier under which, multidisciplinary and 
integrated research efforts are focused upon problems of major socio-economic 
importance. 
Forestry research is incorporated within the Key Action: "Sustainable agriculture, 
fisheries and forestry including integrated development of rural areas" under the 
Specific Programme "Quality of life and management of living resources". The 
objectives are to provide methods and instruments for the conservation, protection and 
sustainable multifunctional management of forests thereby supporting the 
implementation of Community measures and international commitments and ensuring 
the sector's competitiveness and valuation. In addition, systems of forestry production 
and process technologies will contribute to the delivery of new or improved forest 
15 
products with high value-added and lower impact on the environment. The research 
priorities will concentrate on: 
- multifunctional management of forests: support to forest policy issues; 
diversification (non-wood uses, agro-sylvo-pastoral systems), multifunctional and 
sustainable management combining quality production with conservation and 
protection. Forest ecosystems biodiversity and protection of forest soils. 
- sustainable and multipurpose utilisation of forest resources: the forestry-wood 
chain: strategies for the sustainable management and utilisation of forest resources; 
efficient, environmentally-friendly processes and recycling technologies; high value-
added and diversified products accounting for market needs and consumer 
requirements. 
Forest research remains a key issue in Key Action "Climate, Global Change and 
Biodiversity" of the Specific Programme "Preserving the Ecosystem". Priority will be 
given to ecosystems, biodiversity research issues and development of strategies and 
adaptations to climate change in order to fulfil the commitments of the Kyoto 
Protocol. Research issues on renewable energy systems, in particular biomass to 
energy systems, will also be addressed within this specific programme. 
The implementation of the above RTD specific programmes will also comprise 
activities and mechanisms aimed at stimulating, disseminating and exploiting RTD 
results. 
8. Development Cooperation 
The overall goal of the Community forest development cooperation is to promote 
sustainable forest management in developing countries as a contribution to sustainable 
development globally. This goal will be pursued in accordance with the legal and 
political commitments arising from various international forums and agreements. The 
activities seeking to achieve this goal will have to recognise the role of forests in 
economic and social development, the conservation of biological diversity, action to 
combat desertification, carbon sequestration that mitigates climate change, and the 
safeguarding of natural habitats and their ecological functions. This entails the proper 
upgrading of natural resources and the recognition of the role of the various 
stakeholders in the forestry sector. 
The EC will concentrate its assistance to developing countries in the forestry sector on 
those areas where it will have maximum positive impact, whilst taking into account the 
socio-economic environmental and cultural importance of developing countries' forest 
resources and their progress towards sustainable development. 
Priority areas for dialogue and assistance are policy and institutional reform, 
stakeholder involvement, capacity building and research for sustainable forest 
management as well as forest ecosystem conservation. Assistance will be provided at 
national, regional and international level, including support to fulfil commitments 
arising from the relevant international environmental agreements. 
The Commission will soon present a communication to the Council and Parliament on 
Forestry Development Cooperation. 
16 
9. International cooperation 
<- at pan-European level: 
The Community will continue its active participation in the implementation of 
decisions taken at the Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of Forests in 
Europe and will support the further development of cooperative action in this 
regard. This will be achieved in particular through the Community actions in 
relation to forest protection, research, forest information and communication as 
well as through the existing instruments relating to the conservation of natural 
habitats and genetic resources and through the continued implementation of the IPF 
proposals for action. 
Particular attention should be paid to the protection of boreal forests in Russia and 
in the New Independent States and to the preservation of its privileged ecological 
status in particular in terms of biodiversity. 
- at global level: 
The Community will maintain a pro-active presence in the international discussion 
and negotiation forums relating to forests, in particular the IFF (International Forum 
on Forests), and will promote a global legally binding instrument concerning 
management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. The 
Community should also seek to develop, where appropriate, international standards 
in the forestry sector. 
10. Coordination 
The commitments entered into in the framework of the pan-European and other 
international processes to establish national or subnational forest programmes 
emphasise the benefits of effective coordination between the various policy sectors 
which have an influence on forestry within the Member States. At Community level, 
coordination and consultation on Community measures relating to forestry will 
principally involve two main cooperation platforms: 
- the Standing Forestry Committee23, which brings together representatives of the 
Member States with the Commission in the chair and which has three roles: 
• an advisory, regulatory and management function for specific forest measures; 
• an ad hoc consultation forum providing expertise and monitoring for forestry 
measures or initiatives in the framework of various Community policies such as 
those on rural development, environment and research; 
• a venue for the exchange of information among Member States and with the 
Commission and for voluntary coordination on international forestry issues. 
- the Consultative Committees, advising the Commission, providing opinions and 
promoting exchange of information: 
• Forests, including cork24 bringing together forestry players from the professional 
and associated worlds in order to exchange information and opinions on forestry 
matters with a European dimension, 
23 
24 Set up by Decision 89/367/EEC (OJ L 165, 15.6.1989, p. 14) 
Decision 98/235/EC (OJ L 88, 24.3.1998, p. 59) 
17 
•' Forestry and Forestry-based Industry25, bringing together representatives from 
the whole spectrum of EU forest-based industries and forestry, working actively 
through six working groups. 
Coordination within the Commission between departments dealing with Community 
policies relating to the forestry sector will be organised through ad hoc 
interdepartmental networks depending on the subject to be dealt with. 
C. Forestry measures under Agenda 2000 
1. Support for the Member States in their efforts to achieve sustainable forest 
management 
The Commission proposal on rural development policy in the context of Agenda 2000 
provides a good basis for providing support for the Member States in their 
implementation of the strategy to promote the management, conservation and 
sustainable development of forests. 
Taking into account the basic principles of Agenda 2000, e.g. stimulating employment 
and improving the quality of our natural environment and the quality of life, the main 
objective of the rural development proposals is to allow Member States to develop 
integrated programmes at an appropriate regional level to meet the diverse needs of 
European rural areas. Sustainable forestry management measures dovetailing with 
other rural development initiatives form a crucial part of the overall strategy. 
Rural development programmes will accordingly enable the Community to support the 
implementation of national and subnational forest programmes or equivalent 
instruments in line with the objectives of rural development and in accordance with the 
principle of subsidiarity. 
Through their regional and national programmes the Member States will work out 
their needs at the appropriate level and define their priorities in order to obtain a 
contribution from the Union to implement the forestry strategy and respond to the 
need for action stemming from international Conventions, such as those on Biological 
Diversity, Climate Change and Desertification and the implementation of IPF 
proposals. 
The forestry chapter of the Commission proposal on rural development policy provides 
support for a whole range of actions to promote sustainable management of forests 
and to contribute to specific problems, such as biodiversity, climate change or wood as 
a source of energy, by means of: 
- forest protection measures; 
- the development and enhancement of the socio-economic potential of forests; 
- preserving and improving the ecological value and restoring damaged forests and 
ensuring the protective functions of forests; 
- promoting new outlets for the use of wood and extending the area under forests 
through afforestation; 
- joint management of small woodlands through the setting-up of associations of 
forest owners; , 
25 Decision 97/837/EC (OJ L 346, 17.12.1997, p. 95) 
18 
- education and training programmes, especially targeting forest owners and 
managers and focusing on new opportunities and techniques for the production of 
goods and services from forests and on techniques compatible with the maintenance 
of the landscape and the protection of the environment. 
Forestry measures as laid down in the Agenda 2000 proposals are integrated into the 
rural development programming and the reorganised financial rules. In regions 
qualifying for Objective 1 or eligible under the new Objective 2 these measures shall be 
part of the integrated programmes of the Structural Funds. The evaluating of measures 
covered by rural development programming including forestry measures, shall be 
carried out on the basis of principles and procedures laid down in the proposals. These 
include ex-ante, intermediate and ex-post evaluations concerning the effectiveness and 
efficiency of community financed interventions. 
2. Pre-accession measures 
The Commission has presented a proposal for a Council Regulation on Community 
support for pre-accession measures for agriculture and rural development in the 
applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe in the pre-accession period relating 
in particular to: 
(a) resolving priority and specific problems for the sustainable adaptation of the 
agricultural sector and rural areas in the applicant countries; 
(b) contributing to the implementation by them of the acquis communautaire as 
regards the common agricultural policy and related policies. 
Support for agricultural and rural development may in particular cover forestry, 
including afforestation, investments in forest holdings owned by private forest owners 
and the processing and marketing of forestry products. 
This Commission's proposal contributes to the management, conservation and 
sustainable development of forests in central and eastern Europe, emphasis being laid 
on the following problems in particular: 
- the health condition of forest ecosystems, disturbed mainly by industrial pollution or 
poorly regulated domestic heating, is a major concern; solutions to these 
environmental concerns need to be found in several policy areas whereas forestry 
policy should seek to preserve or restore the forest heritage whenever possible; 
- the adaptation of the forestry sector to internal market rules is uncertain since 
problems such as the development of ownership pattern are unclear. The 
Community should focus its efforts on enabling these countries to achieve sound 
implementation of sustainable forest-management practices and to avoid 
environmental threats, although the high demand for cutting is increasing owing to 
the recovery of the market for wood and the general economy. Community support 
for the processing and marketing of forestry products should focus in particular on 
environmental issues to enable these countries to comply with the Community's 
environmental standards and avoid creating any distortion of competition on global 
markets; 
- there is a clear need to improve the infrastructure and functioning of the forestry 
sector in the applicant countries. Promoting institutional and capacity building 
19 
activities, particularly forest statistics, is important during the pre-accession phase 
to enable sustainable forest management procedures to be set up or reinforced. To 
ensure wide application of proposed measures, support to establish forest owners 
associations or other structures that will promote dissemination of relevant 
information to obtain the objectives of sustainable forest management is needed. 
D. Specific items relating to forestry 
1. Conservation of forest biodiversity26 
Addressing biodiversity concerns in forests requires measures in three areas: the 
conservation, the sustainable use and the equitable sharing of benefits arising from the 
use of forests' genetic resources. 
In this context, actions for the conservation of forest biodiversity should be taken both 
"in situ " and "ex situ ". 
Within the Union the in-situ conservation of forest biological diversity could be largely 
achieved by appropriate forest management systems as actually there exist only few 
forest areas which are withheld from commercial utilisation. 
Actions for in situ conservation should consider, inter alia, two main aspects : 
a) Conservation and enhancement of biodiversity in sustainable management systems 
for all forests to ensure that forest species are able to survive under natural 
conditions and are able to maintain or recover vigorous populations over their 
distribution area. This implies that forest managers need to take into account 
guidelines for, inter alia: 
• appropriate ecological site adaptation measures through diverse silvicultural 
techniques combined with accessory measures (e.g. respecting dead wood and 
other key micro-habitats present in forests). Particular emphasis should be given 
to regeneration methods, such as natural regeneration, to preserve the local 
genetic pools; tree species and varieties that are planted should be native or well 
suited to local conditions and ecosystems; 
• maintenance of forest ecosystem health and vitality by enhancing regenerative 
capacity, resistance and adaptive capacity of forest ecosystems; 
• restoration and rehabilitation of degraded areas, species, populations, habitats 
and ecosystems; 
• maintenance of traditional management of silvo-pastoral systems with high levels 
of biodiversity which may be lost if these areas are abandoned (e.g. in the 
Mediterranean regions) 
• improving harvesting techniques to keep related damages as limited as possible; 
• conducting afforestation measures in a manner that does not negatively affect 
ecologically interesting or noteworthy sites, habitats and ecosystems landscapes 
(e.g. the chosen tree species should be well suited to local conditions and 
ecosystems; native species or local provenances should be preferred; whenever 
26 See also COM(l998)42 final - Communication from the Commission to the Council and the 
European Parliament on a European Community Biodiversity Strategy 
20 
introduced species are used, sufficient attention should be taken to ensure the 
conservation of native flora and fauna). 
The implementation of such guidelines should usually be location-specific and 
depend on the bio-geographical and biophysical characteristics of the forests and 
their biodiversity as well as on economic and social aspects. 
b) The establishment of specially managed protected zones as a complementary 
instrument to sustainable management of forests. 
The conservation of the remaining areas of primary forests and the protection of 
areas with high ecological fragility need specific initiatives through the 
establishment of protected areas. 
Such protected areas should contribute significantly in furthering the management 
of all types of forests on a sustainable basis, and also to enhance social, cultural, 
environmental and economic benefits of forests. A broader "bio-regional" approach 
is therefore necessary which incorporates biodiversity conservation objectives with 
a sustainable use of the biological resources and relevant socio-economic issues 
when forest sites are selected on the basis of species richness, threats or biological 
criteria as being of international value for forest biodiversity. 
The full participation of all concerned people, including forest owners, during both 
the decision process to establish these areas and their management is specially 
relevant as the conservation of biodiversity often depends on the maintenance of 
human activities in such areas; an active information policy in the scope of any 
management restrictions is required. The responsible authorities should ensure the 
involvement of forest owners in developments on protected areas. 
In this context, the EU is contributing to the establishment of protected areas 
through the ecological network "NATURA 2000" consisting of "Special Protection 
Areas" (SPAs) emanating from the Birds Directive27 and "Special Conservation 
Areas" (SCAs) emanating from the Habitat Directive28. 
Measures taken pursuant to these Directives are designed to maintain or restore, at 
favourable conservation status, natural habitats and species of wild fauna and flora 
of Community interest, taking account of economic, social and cultural 
requirements and regional and local characteristics. 
Actions for ex-situ conservation should consider, inter alia, measures related to 
conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in forestry 
in the frame of Council regulation 1467/9429 
In addition, it should be also important to enhance: 
- efforts to harmonise approaches to data collection and analysis of indicators for 
assessing biodiversity of forest ecosystems by supporting the applications of the 
pan-European criteria and indicators for sustainable management in the framework 
of the EFICS regulation 
27 
28 
29 Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2.4.1979 (OJ No L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1) 
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21.5.1992 (OJ No L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7) 
OJNoL159, 28.6.1994, p. 1 
21 
- research actions on the impacts of management systems in biological diversity and 
on how forest management systems can maintain and enhance biological diversity, 
while ensuring their economic viability. 
Taking into account the principle of subsidiarity, the Member States have the 
responsibility to integrate biodiversity concerns in an appropriate way in their national 
forest programmes or equivalent instruments. 
Within the Commission's proposal on Rural Development, the Community will have 
the possibility to support such efforts of the Member States and in particular by 
supporting actions to preserve and enhance the ecological values of forest, to support 
training activities, to preserve and improve the ecological stability of forests or 
restoring damaged forests in areas of serious natural handicaps as well as by 
appropriate afforestation measures adapted to local conditions and ecosystems. 
Furthermore it should be noted that the Community specific forestry protection 
measures (atmospheric pollution and forest fires) contribute to the conservation of 
biodiversity. 
The measures proposed by the Commission in Agenda 2000 and in particular in the 
forest chapter of the draft regulation on rural development are a useful instrument to 
enhance biodiversity but much of its efficiency will depend on the relevance of the 
programmes and measures which will be implemented at national and regional level. 
Therefore, the Commission will maintain the situation of biodiversity in forests under 
review. Subject to the conclusions of that review, the Commission will present 
proposals for action on the conservation and sustainable use of forest biodiversity, in 
accordance with the commitments laid down in the communication on a European 
Community Biodiversity Strategy, and taking into account the efforts done at global 
and pan-European level in this context. 
2. Wood as a source of energy 
The White Paper for a Community strategy and action plan entitled "An Energy Policy 
for the European Union"30 predicts that the percentage of energy produced from 
renewable sources will amount to 12% of total energy by the year 2010 (the current 
level is less than 6%), and thereby anticipates a substantial increase in the use of 
biomass for energy purposes in addition to extensive use of hydropower, wind and 
solar energy. The potential that forests can play as a source of energy, either by short 
rotation plantations or by the use of forest residues and available low quality wood 
should be favoured. 
When exploring the possibilities of increasing the potential of energy crops from 
forestry, the following considerations must be taken into account: 
- the potential of wood-based biomass as a source of energy should not be overstated 
on the basis of general theoretical data about the availability of forest resources, 
because these resources vary in distribution and type, which partly explains the 
difficulty in evaluating their real potential for energy use at EU level; 
30 COM (95) 682 final of 13 December 1995. 
22 
- at present wood is in most cases a more expensive raw material for energy 
production than competing products. One way to address this could involve 
adjusting taxes. Any change in tax systems in the Member States or at EU level 
should take due account of demand for wood products and the requirements of 
industry for sustainable wood products; 
- although short rotation forestry for energy production can contribute to a slowing 
of the rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, care should be taken to 
ensure that this does not have adverse effects on the environment. 
The issue of Community support for the use of wood as a source of energy is currently 
being discussed within the framework of the Commission proposal on Rural 
Development. 
3. Climate change 
As explained in the Commission Communication entitled "Climate change - Towards 
an EU post-Kyoto strategy"31, forests play an important role in the global carbon 
cycle. In some regions they are net sources of carbon dioxide, primarily as a result of 
deforestation and forest degradation, whereas in other regions, including Europe, they 
act as net carbon sinks. There is however little scientific knowledge available to date 
about the potential of carbon sinks in relation to forest ecosystems and research efforts 
in this area must therefore be stepped up. The authoritative Intergovernmental Panel 
on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that about 12% to 15% of projected carbon 
dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption world-wide from now to 2050 could be 
absorbed by slowing deforestation, promoting forest regeneration and increasing the 
area in plantation and agro-forestry systems. Tropical America has the greatest 
potential for increasing carbon storage, followed by Asia and tropical Africa32. 
However, this will not preclude the Community to encourage the optimisation of the 
sequestration capacities of European forests. 
The potential of forests and forest soils as a carbon sink within the Union can be best 
utilised through the sustainable development and protection of our forests, even if our 
contribution to the global problem will remain rather limited. Furthermore, carbon 
uptake and storage by forests is a long-term process, which may have significant 
impact on a time scale of 20 to 50 years or even longer. 
Forests can contribute to carbon storage through: 
• maintaining and/or increasing existing carbon pools by improving existing forest 
protection and management; 
• expanding forest area through afforestation of agricultural land, with species 
adapted to local conditions or preferably native species or local provenances; 
• replacing fossil fuels with fuelwood from sustainably managed forests; 
• replacing high-energy products (e.g. steel, aluminium and concrete) with industrial 
wood products (low-energy renewable raw material). 
COM (1998) 353 final. 
32 FAO report on state of the World's Forests, 1997. 
23 
All these objectives can be achieved through various forest management practices, 
land-use practices and marketing efforts which, in line with the principle of 
subsidiarity, should primarily be initiated by the Member States. 
Reporting and verification are major issues which foresters have to face in the future. 
There is a specific need for a transnational system of accounting, based on current 
update methodologies, involving measurements, modelling and data-basing in order to 
fulfil the requirements of transparencies and verification of the implementation of the 
Kyoto Protocol. 
The Community will make full use of its existing instruments such as the forest 
protection measures, research and development and the proposed forest measures in 
rural development to support the efforts of the Member States in relation to climate 
change, whose potential effects on the health status of our forests can not be 
underestimated either. The Commission will remain open-minded on the possibility of 
any further instruments. 
4. Forest certification 
Forest certification is defined as a procedure which consists of the verification, by an 
independent third party, that the forests in question are managed in a sustainable way. 
Related labelling to forest certification can be a mark guaranteeing that the raw 
material of a defined wood-based product is originating from a certified forest. 
Forest certification therefore only refers to forest management and not to the entire life 
cycle of the wood-based product33. 
Forest certification systems and related labelling are market based instruments which 
aimed primarily to promote the sustainable management of forests and the use of forest 
products coming from renewable and sustainable sources. 
In Europe such systems are also likely to contribute to improve consumer information 
on the environmental qualities of sustainable forest management and to promote the 
use of timber as an environmentally friendly and renewable raw material. The main 
objective is to establish comparability, credibility through sufficient verification of 
conformity to standards or performance indicators. 
Forest programmes and policies of Member States are nevertheless the key instruments 
for ensuring that sustainable forest management and certification schemes can act as an 
additional incentive. 
European forest-certification schemes and related labelling should be based on criteria 
and performance indicators comparable and compatible with internationally agreed 
principles. In addition, they should respect the following general principles: voluntary 
nature, credibility, transparency; cost effectiveness participation of all related interested 
parties, open access and non discrimination with respect of forest types and owners. 
One essential element providing credibility is the independent audit of forest 
management and chain of custody. 
The Commission welcomes the initiatives taken by governments, regional authorities, 
NGO's or private sector for the potential experience they can offer. Recently, 
This aspect is covered by the Commission's proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on a revised 
Community eco-label award scheme (COM/96/0603 final, OJ C 114, 12.4.1997, p. 9), amending 
Council Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 of 23 March 1992 on a Community eco-label award scheme. 
24 
representatives of forestry, forest industries and trade from several Member States 
began to elaborate a pan-European forest certification and authentication framework 
based on the pan-European criteria and indicators for sustainable management. Given 
certain limitations, risk of duplication and lack of comparability of all these initiatives, 
the Commission will analyse them and consider the need for possible complementary 
action at EC level, possibly involving a legal instrument laying down essential 
requirements for voluntary certification and labelling initiatives. Such an instrument 
would then provide for the introduction of an EU logo for sustainable forest 
management and address such issues as sustainable forest management standards, the 
level of assessment, auditing bodies, the chain of custody and dispute settlement. 
£. Conclusion 
At present the Commission considers that, together with the proposals on rural 
development in the context of Agenda 2000, the existing forestry measures provide an 
adequate contribution to an EU forestry strategy. The prolongation and eventual 
revision of the existing forestry measures will be envisaged in line with the objectives 
and recommendations of this strategy. The Commission will present at an appropriate 
time any further actions such as for example a Community framework for voluntary 
forest certification and related labelling initiatives in the Union. 
The Commission calls on the Council to adopt the strategy as presented in this 
Communication. 
25 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(98) 649 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 03 14 15 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-98-680-EN-C 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg