Copa and Cogeca welcome the EU Forest Strategy 2030’s report adopted today by the Agriculture Committee and the Rural Development Committee, as led by Ulrike Müller, and its acknowledgment of the importance of having an integrated and balanced way regarding the three dimensions of sustainability across environmental, social, and economic aspects.
Copa and Cogeca fully support the request of the European Parliament for more coherence between the strategy and the work at pan-European level on Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) wi th the i mplementati onof the strategy and avoi di ngthe dupli cati onof work and increasingadministrativeburdens. In this context, we welcome the point in the report that stresses that the exact purpose and need for strategic plans for forests must be clarified and Member States competences should be respected.
The report voted today also efficiently recognises the importance of wood in contributingto bioeconomy by substituting fossil-based materials and fuels and the need to continue to invest and innovate in the context of digital and green-transition. In addition, attracting more young people and female entrepreneurs in the sector is considered a priority for the sector including for ensuring more viable rural areas.
Copa and Cogeca also welcome the proposal on creating more synergies between the different funds to support the multi-functional role of forests and make use of these funds in a more targeted manner.
Finally, Copa and Cogeca fully endorse the call on the European Commissionand Member States to assess the economic impact of a ‘closer-to-nature’ approach, including the direct and indirect impact on employment.
Artigo publicado originalmente em Copa Cogeca.