A4-0414/96

Resolution on the European Union's forestry strategy

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the second paragraph of Article 138b of the EC Treaty,

- having regard to Rule 50 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having noted that a proposal comparable to this initiative is neither in preparation nor listed in the Annual Legislative Programme,

- having regard to the report commissioned by the European Parliament which was carried out by EUROFOR and the Hearing held by its Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development,

- having regard to the motions for resolutions by Mr Ephremidis and Mr Theonas on fires in Greece (B4-0051/94), Mr Fernández-Albor on the participation of citizens in the reforestation of forestry zones (B4-0186/94) and Mr Salafranca Sánchez García on a forestry strategy in the Canary Islands (B4- 0462/94),

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy and the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection (A4-0414/96),

I. Calls on the Commission to put forward, on the basis of Articles 43, 130s and 235 of the EC Treaty, within two years of the date of adoption of this resolution by the European Parliament, a legislative proposal on European forestry strategy, in accordance with the recommendations set out below:

A. PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROPOSAL

1. Forests are one of the most important renewable resources that Europe has. With their responsible management and care it is possible to produce goods and services indefinitely, based on a market-oriented approach.

In view of the importance of the forestry sector as a source of employment and wealth in the EU, the commercial utilization of forests should be a priority of EU forestry strategy, which should be integrated with the use of forests for other purposes. Forest strategy should be based on the recognition of the diversity of European forests, their multi-functional nature and the need for ecological, economic and social sustainability.

2. The coordination of national policies must be based on respect for the principle of subsidiarity. Subject to this, the basis for the European Union's forestry strategy should be a clearer definition of national policies in the EU (as well as EFTA and CEEC), setting objectives at both national and interna-tional levels, re-establishing clearly the responsibilities of the EU and the Member States, with precise procedures for technical cooperation at appropriate levels, establishing a link between forestry strategy and official policies such as environmental and rural policy.

3. The forestry strategy should respect the resolution approved by the EU and its Member States under the Rio Declaration and the Helsinki resolutions.

4. The EU's forestry strategy should take account of the fact that most of Europe's forests are the property of millions of forest owners who have to ensure a multi-functional management of forests guaranteeing the sustainability of the potential of the associated natural resources; the proprietary rights of these forest owners must be respected.

B. ACTIONS TO BE PROPOSED

5. The Commission should make proposals for instruments and adequate funding for coherent and complementary implementation at Community, Member State and regional level in order to develop actions dealing with the three main areas of protection, utilization/development and extension of forestry resources as described below:

Protection

6. Forest degradation continues to be a serious problem in Europe. The Commission is asked to make proposals to allow action to be taken wherever required against erosion and desertification, to protect and conserve the economic and biological value of the forestry heritage and enhance its role in maintaining rural equilibrium, with particular reference to problems of specific regions, including mountain regions, to monitor the effective implementation of Community directives on the reduction of atmospheric pollution, to undertake large-scale monitoring of the health of forests, to increase funding for the conservation of the forest's biological and genetic resources and to take action against disease, in particular using integrated biological control. Further, emphasis should be given, where necessary, to protection of the forest soils from compaction and erosion through appropriate selective timber harvesting methods, as well as measures concerning appropriate regeneration and afforestation, particularly by the promotion of mixed woodlands in suitable sites.

7. Special attention should be paid to the protection of forests against fire. The Commission is asked in particular: to make proposals adjusting the budgetary funding for Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 ((OJ L 217, 31.7.1992, p. 3.)) to the real needs of the overall protection plans of the Member States, after all necessary actions at Member State, regional and forest-owner level have been taken, to improve coordination of the utilization of resources from the different structural funds, to give priority to financing a study of the causes of fires, prevention, training and research, to propose conditions for intervention in the reforestation of burnt forests, to examine the possibilities for better coordination of resources to combat fires and to examine whether holding private insurance before European aid is granted could have a positive effect and would not involve discrimination and unfair competition among European forest owners.

Utilization and development

8. The main roles of forests concern economic utilization, environmental importance and recreational activities. These are not mutually exclusive but can often be merged in the same forest areas.

9. The Commission is invited to propose adjustments to the relevant objectives and measures, in particular Regulation (EEC) No 1610/89 ((OJ L 165, 15.6.1989, p. 3.)), to the needs of aid for forest management and exploitation, including the development and enhancement of woodland on farms, and for appropriate technical assistance to forest owners in order to provide economically viable management, while respecting the principle of sustainable development.

10. The Commission is asked to consider the forest and the associated industries as essential elements in rural development policy. The Commission should therefore extend the application of Regulation (EEC) No 867/90 ((OJ L 91, 6.4.1990, p. 7.)) by helping to improve the economic competitiveness of the forest and forest industries sector at European level. It is also essential to encourage the use of small dimension wood for industrial purposes, taking account of the carbon sink function, and for the production of energy in de-centralized energy production systems to be substituted for the use of non-renewable sources of energy.

11. The Commission should include proposals for effective promotion of the timber sector at European level; this should include plans to promote opportunities for increased utilization of wood in construction and other industries, and for adding value to biomass in particular for the production of energy and new products. The crucial policy on quality which is an adjunct to this could result in the use of a European quality label. Special attention should also be given to the development of SMEs which are active in this sector and to this end a European campaign for the promotion of wood and wood products should be developed.

Extension

12. Increasing forest resources should take place on an economically sound basis, respecting local biodiversity and traditional landscape and helping to prevent erosion and desertification. It should in particular make it possible to promote the sustainable management of agri-forestry systems and to support associated management programmes such as agri-forestry development programmes. The Commission should also consider the development of advisory services, information and training for forest owners and farmers.

13. In the implementation of the activities described under 2, it is essential that the Commission make provision for a series of accompanying activities, namely:

i. The effective implementation of the forestry information and communication system (EFICS). The forestry sector should therefore discuss forthwith the usefulness of a European forestry inventory by state and by region which would provide the Union with the necessary information to continue to ensure sustainable management of forestry resources,

ii. Increased efforts and coordination at Community level should be undertaken to encourage research into forest ecosystems and in particular the causes of damage (insects and diseases, atmospheric pollutants), the impact of forestry practices on biodiversity and also their contribution to environmental and economic balance in rural areas and near urban areas,

iii. Education and training should be supported, in particular by exchanging knowledge of forestry practices between the various Member States, and there should be information and awareness campaigns for the general public as regards the varied functions of forests; the creation of a European forestry school should be considered; promotion of wood as an environment-friendly, renewable material should be encouraged,

iv. The development of economic and social interests of forests, encapsulating an adaptation of forestry utilization and timber products to the needs of the market. The role and value of forests in tourism, recreation, health and the cycle of water supply should be recognized, without unnecessarily restricting the economic use of forests.

14. With a view to the enlargement of the EU, the problems of forests should now be given special attention in the CEEC. In the implementation of the PHARE and TACIS programmes, support is needed for future integration of the forest heritage and in this respect the principles and objectives of European forestry strategy should provide a reference point. In addition, any new EU forestry strategy should take account of the budgetary consequences of EU enlargement.

15. At institutional level the Commission should propose to expand the role of the Standing Forestry Committee so that it becomes the chief instrument in the coordination of forestry matters. It is also asked to set up the advisory committee on forests, which it announced to the EP in 1995. Lastly, the Commission is asked to establish a coherent administrative framework within its services allowing a logical, rational and transparent division of its powers and tasks between the units dealing with forestry strategy and thus to counteract the dispersion of responsibilities and the lack of coordination and organization as regards forestry in the EU.

16. At international level the European Union must play an active role in trade negotiations as they relate to forestry sector problems. It must coordinate forestry related concepts more effectively so that they are taken into account in the Union's general trade policies.

17. The Commission should also submit an effective action plan to combat ecological and social dumping in relation to imports of timber into the EU.

18. The Commission should make proposals, together with the Member States, to continue to work actively towards an international convention on the protection and sustainable management of forests.

19. The Commission should consider how to create a recognized international certification system as regards the sustainable management of forests. The certification system should be transparent, voluntary and non-discriminatory and should take account of the specific ecological, biological and socio- economic characteristics of each country, including forest ownership patterns. Certification should fully meet the objective assigned to it of enhancing economically, socially and ecologically sustainable use of forests, in full compliance with national, EU and international legislation.

20. Regarding forest management outside the European Union, the Commission is invited to submit proposals for an integrated international strategy seeking to ensure the qualitative and quantitative conservation and sustainable management of forests, and providing the necessary financial aid and technical assistance to support the efforts of the countries concerned to conserve and manage their forests sustainably while respecting the rights and needs of the native and indigenous peoples, who should be involved in the planning of forestry projects from the outset and should benefit from forestry development programmes.

C. FINANCING

21. With a view to the establishment of a coherent and coordinated Community forestry strategy the Commission should propose, for the sake of budgetary transparency, the reorganization of the budgetary presentation of forestry activities in order to rationalize the entry of the expenditure in the EU budget and to deal with the current dispersal of budget headings relating to forests.

22. The Commission should initially ascertain the funding actually devoted by the EU to forestry measures over the last decade under the various relevant -measures and policies. This financial evaluation should be accompanied, as far as possible, by a technical evaluation (cost/efficiency analysis) and it is on this basis that appropriate budget guidelines for the priorities in the various sectors could be proposed, while respecting the principle of subsidiarity in financing of EU forestry activities.

II. Considers that the possibility should be examined of setting up an EP sub-committee on forestry.

III. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.