The EU Commission’s proposal on forest monitoring needs further work - For Forest+ Group presents a way forward
Austria, Finland, France, Slovenia and Sweden remind that the Commission’s proposal on forest monitoring has certain merit but needs substantial further work to provide a sound framework in line with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. Their view was presented under AOB in the Agriculture and Fisheries Council 23 September. The item was supported by seven additional Member States.
In November 2023, the Commission proposed an EU Regulation on Forest Monitoring. The ad hoc Council Working Party on Forest Monitoring has been discussing the proposal during the Belgian and Hungarian Presidencies. With the AOB the For Forest+ Group countries want to help the Presidency in their next steps.
The collection of up-to-date forest data and information has been developed in individual EU Member States over decades and in some countries for even up to 100 years. The harmonisation of data is important, and EU Member States have participated in global efforts to develop harmonised data together for a long time with international organizations such as the FAO, Forest Europe and ENFIN.
The proposal should be built upon those efforts in order to achieve the best possible global synergies and cost-effectiveness. In the same vein, the Member States have stressed the importance of basing the monitoring on national data and the need to ensure the suitability, quality, accuracy, consistency, security and confidentiality of data.
”Reliable forest monitoring is essential for the whole forest sector and we need a meaningful way forward for the Commission’s monitoring proposal. Finland supports evidence-based policymaking and by focusing more on harmonising statistical forest information we can follow national trends”, says Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland Sari Essayah.
The proposal also contains a large number of delegated and implementing acts, which increases the level of uncertainty. Currently, many of the delegated and implementing acts are too far-reaching. Overall, the regulation has to be consistent with other European legislation and other reporting. Further information can be found in the AOB document.
The key objective of the strategic For Forest+ Group is to develop and enhance cooperation on forest-related issues, share information on best practices and seek common positions on forest policy matters, all in alignment with sustainable management and use of forests.
This year, For Forest+ Group is chaired by Finland. In October, ministers and other high-level representatives of For Forest+ Group Member States will travel to Strasbourg to exchange views with Members of the European parliament on forest monitoring and other topical issues.
Way Forward in Forest Monitoring. Information from the Austrian, Finnish, French, Slovenian and Swedish delegations, supported by the Croatian, Czech, Latvian, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Romanian and Slovak delegations. (PDF)
In addition, six other Member States supported the item in their speeches and one called for constructive progress.
Read more on our website:
Ministers of forest-rich EU Member States gather for For Forest+ Group meeting in Finland (press release by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland, 21 August 2024)
France joins For Forest Group + (press release by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland, 16 July 2024)
16 EU Member States led by Finland: Bioeconomy must stand out at core of next Commission’s Work Programme (press release by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland, 26 April 2024)
Inquiries
Tapio Luoma-aho
Special Adviser to Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah
firstname.lastname@gov.fi
+358 50 4727040
Tapio Kytölä
Senior Specialist, Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU
firstname.lastname@gov.fi
+32 478 625 138
Juha Roppola
Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
firstname.lastname@gov.fi
+358 295 162 169
