EFI Insights from Brussels
In the first weeks of 2015, the European Parliament is dealing with forest-based sector related issues
at several levels. Some of the European Parliament’s Committees will discuss the EU Forest Strategy.
The recently re-established Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development
will have a number of working groups relevant for the forest-based sector.
Broad discussions on the EU Forest Strategy
The European Parliament’s Committees on Agriculture and Rural Development (COMAGRI), Industry,
Research and Energy (COMITRE), and Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (COMENVI)
drafted reports on the EU Forest Strategy. EFI contributed to this endeavour with a presentation in a
Parliament hearing on the Strategy and a ThinkForest event on the future of the European forestbased sector.
The committees discussed the draft reports in their meetings on Jan 21 and 27. They aim to send a
strong and clear message to the European Commission and the Member States supporting the
implementation of the Strategy. The important role of the forest-based sector in creating green jobs
and economic growth within the framework of the future low carbon economy (EU Bioeconomy) was
highlighted. Modern technologies, R&D and training are needed to contribute to the implementation
of the Innovation Union. The role of the sector in mitigating climate change was addressed
repeatedly and carbon storage in forests and in wooden products emphazised.
Forests and wood should contribute to sustainable development at regional level. The EU and the
Member States have to create the right environment for this, respecting regional differences. There
should be no more bureaucracy for forest owners. Annual joint meetings of the three committees to
discuss the progress of the Strategy’s implementation, based on annual reports by the European
Commission, are proposed.
Voting in the Plenary on the final report is planned for April 2015.
Intergroup dealing with forest-based sector issues
The European Parliament established Intergroups in December 2014, to strengthen communication
with civil society. They consist of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from any political
group, country or Committee, and external interest representatives from private, public or nongovernmental bodies. The Intergroups act as informal discussion platforms to prepare for official
legislative procedures, but are not Parliamentary bodies.
The Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (CCBS) intergroup has 11 working
groups, including Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services, Bioeconomy, Sustainable Forest Management
and Research & Innovation. EFI provides science based evidence to these whenever requested.
First meeting of the Expert Group on Forest-based Industries and Sectorally Related Issues
EFI is a member of the newly established Expert Group on Forest-based Industries and Sectorally
Related Issues. At its first meeting, the group discussed the draft Forest-based Industries Work
Programme 2014-2016 developed by DG Growth (formerly DG Enterprise). The crucial role of the
forest-based sector for the EU Bioeconomy and the need for improved wood mobilisation was
emphazised. Education and training are important factors to adapt skills to the upcoming challenges.
Part of the new European Commission innovation package should be dedicated to the bioeconomy.
Some forest-based sector stakeholders participate in the newly established European Bioeconomy
Alliance that requests better coordination on this topic at Commissioner level.
To improve the effectiveness of the EU Timber Regulation, actions by the European Commission are
needed as many problems occur due to different implementation in the Member States. Non-trade
barriers are working against the forest-based industries; also material neutrality in construction
industry policies and regulations prohibits the benefits of wood. More information on planned EU
actions to support the forest-based industry is available under the Forest-based industry strategy.
ThinkForest at the European Parliament
On 21 April 2015, EFI organises a ThinkForest seminar at the European Parliament to discuss the
impact of the EUTR and the FLEGT Action Plan. Speakers will consider what scientific evidence says
about the impacts of the EUTR and FLEGT, and look at their effectiveness from a decision-maker’s
perspective, as well as the experiences from industry and practice. Registration opens in early March.
For further information, please contact the EFI Liaison Office.
Harald Mauser, Liaison Officer
[email protected]
+32 2 474 180057